The novel concerns the rivalry of two men: Valentine Bulmer, the Earl of Etherington, and his half-brother Francis Tyrrel. Both wish to marry Miss Clara Mowbray, who is the sister of John, the laird of Saint Ronan’s. Saint Ronan’s Well is a spa at Innerleithen, a town near Peebles in southern Scotland. Valentine Bulmer and his half-brother Francis Tyrrel had been Mrs Dod's guests at Cleikum Inn when they were students from Edinburgh, and she gladly welcomed Francis when he arrived, some years afterwards, to stay at the inn again, to fish and sketch in the neighbourhood.
