When Clemence de Frainville was nine years old, her father died, and the new Comte de Frainville, her fifteen-year-old brother, Edouard, was forced to flee from France because of the persecution of the Huguenots. During Edouard's exile in Holland, Clemence grew up, and also found herself a handsome fiancé. Then, one summer evening, a messenger rode up to the gate of the chateau. He came to give warning of the Comte de Frainville's return. Clemente was filled with terror. Edouard would be liable to arrest and condemnation if he remained. Edouard did stay, and Clemente's feelings changed to resentment and anger. For the new Comte seemed a complete stranger, and though he appeared to feel kindly towards her, he claimed a brother's right to send away her fiance. Clemente was not willing to surrender her independence. She had an ally in her fiance, who had unexpectedly been a witness of a sinister episode in Edouard’s life in Holland. The struggle between them was joined. It led them all into danger of death, before Clemente finally found happiness.