Margaret Fowler is a daughter of the city. Her mother, mean and avaricious, ground down to poverty, is willing to sacrifice her daughter's happiness and love for wealth and position. The girl longs for the beautiful things of life. Prompted by her own mother's pleadings, she turns her back on love. But her heart is pure and she shrinks back in horror from the lure of evil when it confronts her, although it wears a golden mien. She sees behind the mask of the man who pretends he wishes to befriend her. But she knows not which way to turn. Her sweetheart, however, unknown to her, steps in to protect her. Through the aid of a good woman he succeeds in saving her. She discovers at last that happiness lies only with the man she loves.