Young reporter Edward Richardson despises his job at Evensford's small-town newspaper and longs to be a real writer. As he gazes out the window through a sudden fall of snow, he glimpses a young girl, dark-haired and pale, riding between the elderly Aspen sisters in the back of their chauffeur-driven Daimler. "She's the niece," his crotchety boss explains, "the one who will come into the money."

Neglecting his job, Richardson sneaks away to go ice-skating with Lydia. Shy at first, she shows flashes of petulance as well as warmth. Richardson's friends Tom and Nancy Holland observe his growing infatuation with Lydia, and Richardson tells Alex, his rakish best friend, about her unsettling effect on him.

As winter ends, Richardson and Lydia quarrel and part. He takes a new job as a clerk, vowing to write on his own, but he is too despondent to begin. Alex suggests a picnic for four in the country might be just the thing to lure Lydia out of the house and back into Richardson's life.

Now sporting a stylish bob, Lydia grows bolder. Concerned about her niece's social isolation, Aunt Bertie urges Richardson to take Lydia to an upcoming charity dance and supplies the tickets for a party of six.

Lydia finds the raucous Sunday tea at the Holland farm amusing. At first enthusiastic about going to society dances with Richardson and his friends, she soon tires of the stuffy respectability of the parties. Richardson fumes over Lydia's mesmerizing effect on his friends Tom and Alex and on Blackie, the gruff local who drives their hired car to the dances.

Lydia finds the village dance exciting, but Richardson and Alex are put off by the rustic surroundings and Blackie's influence. After going off to drink, Richardson and Alex return to the dance to find their worst fears realized.

All Evensford attends Lydia's grand 21st birthday party at the Aspen estate. Lydia is thrilled by the glamour of the party and the attention she receives from everyone. Lydia's admirers all want to make this a special occasion, none more than Richardson. Before the evening is out, spirits are dampened by disappointment and disaster.

The morning after the party, Richardson is inconsolable, Blackie faces ruin and Alex senses an opportunity. After Lydia suffers a painful loss, the party of friends sets out for another dance with hopes of regaining their former high spirits.

Grieving and at loose ends, Richardson is revived by hard work and companionship. Tom's kindness to a young woman is twisted by people he thought were his friends. On her birthday, Nancy tries to reunite part of the old group, but Richardson cannot bear watching Lydia direct her attentions elsewhere.

Richardson makes a new start, and Lydia embarks on a frenzy of wild partying. Richardson tolerates his job in a London bookshop and spends every spare minute writing. Thanks to a flirtatious high-society customer, he meets an important publisher who encourages him.

On his return, Richardson finds Evensford in decline and bleaker than ever. He discovers that someone very dear to him is dying and that Lydia is desperately ill. He tries to comfort Lydia -- and is moved by Blackie's devotion to her -- but writing consumes his time and attention.

After Lydia suffers a setback, her doctor confronts Richardson. As winter returns to Evensford, Richardson reflects on all that has happened and finally faces his fears.