About to lose the family farm in England, Annie Carraway's widowed mother reluctantly agrees to sell it to her brother-in-law, a wealthy magistrate, and resettle in Australia near his family. But the harsh conditions of the young, untamed country eventually drain their resources and take the life of Annie's mother, leaving the children penniless. Their uncle, Abbot Dearborn, takes them into his home in Sydney, where they must yield to his dictates or be turned out.
Annie's path crosses that of Rogan Farrell, an architect's apprentice wrongly accused of embezzlement and unable to prove his innocence. Abbot is the presiding judge in the case and has forced Rogan into his service while the man is awaiting trial. Rogan has little chance of escaping the death penalty, but when he meets Annie, his hope for rescue is revived, and he discovers something to live for.
Will Annie and Rogan find a way of escape and the promise of a future together?
