Complete with double-dyed villain and a radiantly pure hero and heroine, this melodrama takes the spellbound audience from Lucre Hall, across the Atlantic to where there is gold in them thar hills, and back to Lucre Hall again. Sir Jasper, of the black heart, is out to win Lady Lucre's fortune via the hand of the lovelly Ara be Ila; and Clarence, of the pure heart, is out to thwart him and also win Arabella. Through valleys of iniquity they all travel, the journey being enlivened by the wiles of the voluptuous Fanny, who of course aids and abets Sir Jasper. Virtue is triumphant at the last and Clarence and Arabella are united over the dead bodies of their enemies.