A young, rich American girl, after traveling all over the world with a father addicted to periodical dipsomania, loses this father, and before returning to her California chicken ranch goes to visit her English relatives. Her cousin is in the House of Commons, but suddenly becoming a peer is forced into the House of Lords. He decides to go to America. The story deals with American politics and especially with the conditions in San Francisco. The great earthquake and fire of 1906 bring about changes in the lives of the chief actors.