Capt. John Broughton hoped to be the heir of his wealthy aunt Miss Le Smyrger, and journeyed down to Devonshire to make friends with her. While there he met and fell in love with Patience Woolsworthy, the rector’s highspirited but portionless daughter. Patience returned his love, but indignantly broke her engagement when he attempted to teach her that marriage to him would considerably raise her in the social scale.