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Peggy, a rambunctious young American girl, goes to Scotland to visit her uncle. Her American ways both shock and eventually delight the people of the old village--especially the handsome young minister.

At the outbreak of World War I, American Ruth Sherwood is stranded in the Belgian village of Beaupre. After Olga Karnovitch, a Russian spy eager to leave because of the advancing Germans, steals Ruth's passport, Ruth is taken into custody by the Germans. Among them she recognizes Eugene, formerly a head waiter in New York, who intercedes on Ruth's behalf, saving her from a death sentence. Later, when Wilfred Ferrers, a fellow American staying at Ruth's hotel, is sentenced to death because the Germans believe him to be a Russian spy, Ruth intervenes by attesting that he is her fiancé. The sentimental German general then orders the burgomaster to marry the pair immediately. Soon after, Ruth's fiancé Jack Martin arrives and reproaches Ruth for her actions. His insensitivity forces Ruth to realize that her love for Martin has died. As Ferrers and Ruth make a thrilling escape from the occupied village, both discover that they really love each other.

Miss Terry robs the home of society girl Helen Wentworth, then returns to her boardinghouse and pays her overdue bill with the stolen money. Among her fellow boarders are three bachelors with whom she enjoys flirting. Gordon True is a struggling young author, Freddie Bollen a hardware clerk, and John Quig a ribbon clerk at a department store. After testing all three suitors, Miss Terry finds herself attracted to True's earnestness. She then reveals that she is actually the wealthy Helen Wentworth, and had assumed the identity of Miss Terry in order to escape the ennui of the idle rich. Satisfied with the sincerity of True's love, she marries the struggling author and publishes his book.