Mary Ann, an orphan leading a life of drudgery, falls in love with a promising but equally penniless composer, John Lonsdale.

A girl born in a small town is left penniless by her mother's death. She is befriended by the local minister, who finds her a position in a cheap lodging-house in London, where she unwittingly arouses the mistress's displeasure and is discharged. With few clothes and a pet canary, she tramps the big city in search of work and finally attracts the attention of Lancelot Melmont, a young musician, who induces his landlady to give Mary Ann a position as maid. Here she becomes happily situated until dance-hall habitué Sid is attracted by her charms and persecutes her. She is protected by Lancelot and a companionable feeling grows quickly between them. Then Mary Ann receives the disquieting news that she has been left a fortune. Against her protests, she is taken from the boarding-house and placed with a wealthy private family. Several years later, when Mary Ann's foster parents are giving a reception in her honor, Lancelot, now a famous composer, is one of the guests. The two again meet and the companionship which commenced during their boarding-house days, ripens into a feeling of love and they marry.—Moving Picture World synopsis