Henry Disney, a milkman, residing in a small city, is discovered by Phipps, a lawyer, to be the heir to the title and fortune of the Duke of Walshire. Phipps and his sister, Laura, being pressed for money and anxious to maintain their social position, conspire together to arrange a marriage between the sister and the milkman before he knows that he is the Duke. Phipps has Disney assaulted and arranges to be near in order to rescue him and take him to the Phipps house. In the meantime, however, Disney has met Ethel Hamilton, one of the young social leaders of the town, and has fallen in love with her, although he doesn't dare to speak of his love on account of the great difference in their social positions. His love for Ethel, however, prevents him from falling a victim for the wiles of Laura, and he finally escapes from Phipp's house, where they are trying to keep him on the pretense that he is very ill. He then discovers that he is the Duke.