Roxanna is married to British official John Clayton, but when she catches John in the apparent embrace of another woman, Roxanna leaves England and goes to visit her friend Betty in America. There she tells people that her 'beloved' husband is dead. Betty's friends take to Roxanna, especially Ned, for whom Betty has strong feelings. Further complications arrive in the presence of John Clayton, who has followed Roxanna and now pretends to be the Duke of Morebay and another potential suitor for 'widowed' Roxanna.