An Irishman (O'Ruddy) travels to England. On his deathbed, O'Ruddy's father entrusted him with some papers to deliver to England. Shortly after the father's death, O'Ruddy travels to England with the papers. Once in England, he encounters a variety of characters.

The story is broken up into two parts. The first part is about O'Ruddy's travel to England, his trying to fit in with the gentlemen of society, duels, and the loss of his papers. Not long after his arrival, his papers were stolen. He goes in search of the papers, and along the way meets a woman. The second part deals with the papers, but also his search for his new love, Mary.