Left at a farmer's doorstep during the English Civil War, Amber St. Clair (Linda Darnell) -- a girl of noble birth -- grows up in a small village under the puritanical eye of her guardian. Wanting more out of life, she flees her home for London, following a traveling soldier, Bruce Carlton (Cornel Wilde). Once in the city, Amber and Bruce form a relationship, but Bruce soon leaves for the high seas. Alone and pregnant, Amber decides to continue her upward social climb.