First published in 1901, Growing up in the Australian outback, creative and headstrong Sybylla Melvyn dreams of becoming a famous writer despite long odds and the objections of her family. Forced by money problems to move in with her rich grandmother, she soon makes the acquaintance of a handsome landowner, Harry, and wins him over despite their class differences. When Harry proposes, Sybylla must choose between romantic love an the brilliant career she craves.