An orphan in early 19th century England escapes the poorhouse only to fall among a gang of pickpockets in London.
Robert Darrow, a district attorney is in love with young widow, Edith Russell Dexter. Her wealthy grandfather, Judge Philip Russell, wants her to marry his business manager, Walter Elliot, who actually has been embezzling from Russell's company. During a garden party, Edith and the judge fight over her attentions to Robert
John Kane, who is passionately fond of his sweet little daughter, has opened his house to a spinster cousin of his, who is alone in the world. Jane repays his kindness by secret envy and hate, and her chief passion in life is the hoarding of the money given her and counting it over and over. On the surface, however, she is suave and smiling. On only one thing does she palpably show the hate which settles within her; she detests Shep, the beautiful and intelligent collie dog belonging to Beatrice and the idol of her heart.
