A romance set against the background of the Australian Gold Rush - Western Australia, 1890. 14-year-old Sarette Maitland is orphaned when her father dies of a snake bite on the goldfields. Rescued by a wealthy adventurer, John Kern, she takes the place in his heart of his own dead daughter. Several years later, he sends Sarette back to his family home in England, where she meets his nephew, Magnus. When Magnus learns that his beloved uncle has left Sarette a considerable fortune, both his honesty and his heart are tested.
