One night Stephen Barlow invites one of his young pupils home for additional tutoring. There is an evident bond between them; his is one of regard, and hers is one of admiration. But Stephen's wife, Grace, misreads the bond, and persuades herself that the two are in love. The sudden prospect of losing her husband's love to a young girl leads her to a cruel attack upon the girl, who is mortally embarrassed and conscience stricken. She runs away into the night. Stephen goes after her, but is not able to find her. Days pass, and there is no sign of her. The police drag the river and search every corner. Stephen is openly suspected of having seduced and murdered the girl. But at the height of the persecution, the girl returns home. It had taken her three remorseful days to decide to come back. At this point comes the news that the river which had been dragged for the girl, has at last yeilded up a body - Stephen's wife.