Joan and Mary are the daughters of Joseph West, pastor of the village church. Mary is wild; Joan is the reverse. Among the school children is Basil Forde, a hunchback, timid and gentle, but subject to much abuse from the other children because of his deformity. Pity has drawn Joan and Basil together, while Mary, whom Basil loves, loathes him. Mary is cruel to Basil and is commanded by the teacher to apologize to him. She refuses, and when the teacher attempts to chastise her Mary fights back and is expelled. When this is brought to her parents. Mary is punished, and develops a loathing for Basil that follows her through the coming years. Time passes and we see Mary and Joan grown. Basil is deeply in love with Mary, who despises him. Joan has never changed toward Basil. In his devotion to Mary, Basil never sees the wistful look In Joan's eyes. Basil lays the little fortune he inherited at the feet of Mary who only laughs and taunts him about his crooked back. Comes now a Tempter.