In a small Nova Scotia, Canada, fishing village, Charity Byfleet marries William Pennland, a romantic soldier of fortune, just before he leaves on a long voyage. The irrepressible William, however, soon initiates a flirtation with the captain's wife and is thrown overboard. He swims to shore, landing on a rough and isolated stretch of the Nova Scotia coast, where he is found half-dead and nursed back to health by Hagar Levanti, a beautiful girl of mixed blood. William stays with Hagar and gallantly marries her to quiet village gossip. He then tells Hagar of his intention to return to Charity and she abandons him on a barren island off the coast, relenting only when he is on the verge of death from exposure and starvation. Charity learns of William's whereabouts and arrives in time to be with him when he dies. She invites Hagar into her home, where the latter gives birth to a child, much to Charity's delight. However, when Charity learns that Hagar was responsible for William's death, the widowed mother is cast out. Hagar attempts to drown herself, but Charity intervenes with the help of her former suitor, Jones, whom she later marries.—AFI