Graceful young heiress Miss Abigail Swift founds a new academy to instil discipline into Kentish maidens. She meets the stern, lovely matron, already adept at the arts of a young lady's correction; the untamed Walter, who longs to become a lady; and the surly Miss Rummer, who keeps the local gentlemen on their toes. After a visit to the voluptuaries of Paris, she triumphs at a masked ball by introducing her peverse methods to royalty.