When Lord Latimer dies leaving nothing to his wanton son, young Ferdy is left penniless. Although his cousin, Eric Latimer, offers to show Ferdy a loophole in the will in exchange for a share of the inheritance, he refuses. Meanwhile, Marjorie Van Dam, the daughter of a wealthy American family visiting the neighboring estate, falls into a pond and is rescued by Ferdy. The two fall in love, and when Marjorie must return to America, she promises to wait for him. Confident of his future success, Ferdy sails for America. Upon his arrival, he falls into the water but is rescued by nouveau riche American John Brown. Brown is sympathetic to Ferdy's plight and promises to pay his debts and give him a substantial additional sum if Ferdy will help him become an "English gentleman" worthy of social acceptance by a woman whose photograph he carries. The lady of the photograph turns out to be Marjorie, but after Brown becomes a gentleman, he learns of the young couple's love and decides that Ferdy would be a more suitable husband for her. Finally, they are married with Brown's help and blessings.