Shy and diffident, wealthy Arthur Chester has often longed for love, but has never met his ideal. Mrs. Harcourt, a not over-wealthy society woman, desires to make a rich match for her daughter, Helen, who is engaged against her mother's will, to Lieutenant Tresham. The South Africa War breaks out and Tresham goes to the front. Some months afterwards he is reported killed. Chester meets Helen, falls in love with her and, with the aid of Mr. Mintoe, a friend of the Harcourts, carries on an ardent courtship. Helen at first refuses him, but at last yields to the wishes of her mother and marries Chester. A year afterwards Tresham, who has only been wounded, turns up, begs Helen for a last meeting, which she grants. She tells Tresham she loves him and always will, but will remain true to her husband and vows. Their conversation is overheard by Chester, and his love for Helen is so great that he resolves to free her that she may be happy with Tresham. Leaving evidence of having destroyed himself, he disguises himself and disappears. Later, he hears of Helen's marriage to Tresham, and is happy in the knowledge that she is happy. After a lapse of five years, warned by his doctor his heart is in bad condition, Chester is seized with a desire to see Helen once more. He visits his old home, sees her through the open doorway with her husband and child, and as he is leaving is stricken with heart failure. They discover him and he has just strength to kiss Helen's child and give them his blessing.