Paul Pennyfeather was on track for a quiet life as a priest, when he is unceremoniously expelled from Oxford through no fault of his own. Without a fortune to fall back on, Paul is forced to take a position as a teacher at a substandard boarding school. Things start to look up, however, when Paul meets a wealthy widow and a mother to one of the boys at the school.

Paul Pennyfeather tries to win the hand of Margot Beste-Chetwynde while acting as tutor to her son over the school holidays.

Paul heads off to Marseilles following his fiancée Margot's instructions, embarking on what he believes will be a routine business trip. However, he quickly falls victim to misfortune. Things go from bad to worse, and Paul fears that he may not make it back in time for his wedding with Margot - but things are ultimately far more serious than that.