A beautiful widow, Helen, takes up residence in the near-derelict Wildfell Hall with her son. She soon becomes the talk of the small community. Befriended by a young farmer, she will not tell him about her past, until malicious gossip begins to spread around the village.

Helen decides to reveal some of her life to Gilbert and gives him her diary to read. He learns about her relationship with Huntingdon including their first meeting, marriage and ultimately their separation. Huntingdon's carriage then comes to fetch young Arthur.

Huntingdon has abducted young Arthur and with news of her husband’s illness, Helen returns to him. In spite of his dissolute behavior, she nurses him; for better or worse. Will faithful Gilbert Markham ever see her again?