Living a hard life on a Dartmoor tenant farm, Becky Yeo seeks something better. After a fleeting introduction to Joseph, a travelling labourer and folk-singer, Becky feels a drastic need to change her own life. After disobeying her family and refusing to marry the farm bailiff, Nat, whom she dislikes, Becky finds a job as a kitchen-maid at the Manor House which harbours dark mysteries one of which concerns her family. Bent on revenge, Nat blackmails her. When Joseph returns, his love for Becky becomes clear and he must challenge Nat for Becky's hand. With her secret revealed Becky must try and keep her family together and Joseph from leaving once again.