Emilie Gallatin (Ingrid Bergman) works as governess for the wealthy Stoddard clan, but she also serves as a maternal figure when mother Molly (Fay Wray) dies. After the head of the family, Adam (Warner Baxter), loses much of his fortune, he has to send his boys off to boarding school and part with Emilie, the object of his affections. Years later, Emilie reunites with Adam and his sons, but their contentment may be short-lived when the scheming Hester (Susan Hayward) marries into the family.