Effie Ogilvie and her brother Eric grew up with one close friend, Ronald Sutherland. After Effie and Eric's mother had died and been replaced with a stepmother, Eric joined the Army and left for India, accompanied by Ronald. Effie was sixteen, and Ronald never "spoke" to her before he left. She was never told that Ronald had asked permission to court her, and that her father (advised by the stepmother) had made him promise not to say anything to her.
Now age nineteen, Effie becomes friends with a new family, the Diroms. Fred Dirom is very attracted to her and spends a great deal of time with her this summer. Because he is rich, her family encourage the friendship; but Effie finds after a time that the enjoyable friendship has become more than she envisioned, and that Fred and her stepmother are pushing for an early marriage.
When Ronald returns from India, Effie realises what she has lost. And when another event takes place, the previously passive Effie stands up for what is right.
British publishing information
Periodical: The Scottish Church Jun 1885 - May 1886
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