It is twelve years since the kindly Dr James Lester and his gentle wife Jane established a country practice some miles from Bath, and now all hope of prosperity has melted. His patients are only vyokels, small farmers and gipsies, many of whom are unable to pay his modest fees. Their mutual love, however, cancels out much of the bitter disappointment. At last Fortune seems to smile on them. Mme Bella Bella, world-famous singer, driving to Bath, calls with a splinter in her finger and demands relief. With her are her manager and an admirer, the foppish Lord Frederick. During a moment alone with Jane, Madame reveals herself as a Nancy Gerridge, an innkeeper's daughter whom Jane knew in childhood. Hearing Jane's story she impulsively suggests that James shall be her private physician, and travel, with Jane, on her world-wide tours. She proceeds to Bath, and the couple visualize a glowing future. Then comes humble gifts from poor but grateful patients, a plea for help from a distant aged peasant, and James knows he cannot desert his people. They have waited too long, says Jane, for none but the brave can cut themselves free. Their real place is where they are needed most.