The house of Thomas Chatterton is divided against itself. Joseph, the son, is an inebriate, and Anne, his sister, a social butterfly, neglectful of her babe and husband. The old man lives in solitude. Edith Conway comes to visit the Chattertons and finds herself distinctly out of place, of a different type. Thomas Chatterton finds in Edith a long-wished-for companion. Joseph accuses the girl of designs on his father's wealth. The boy in a delirium, attempts to stab his father, but Edith stops him. From then on the girl exercises a peculiar influence over the entire family. Slowly she spreads the gospel of love and kindness hitherto unknown there. Anne is drawn back to her babe and husband on the eve of becoming entangled with a designing young society man. Joseph renounces his alcoholic yoke and weds Edith, and the house of Chatterton is no longer divided against itself.