The Pritchards, arrogant and extremely rich people who live nearby, bring their daughter Valerie to the hospital, but it is too late to save her.

They persuade the reluctant Rachel to impersonate their daughter, sending her in Valerie's place to visit her dying grandfather in England, on the pretext that it will save his life.

Rachel considers telling people of the Pritchards' lies on the ship, but she soon arrives in England and begins to develop a close relationship with her "grandfather", who, like her, is very fond of birds.

Just as things begin to get better, the Pritchards' unveil their new plot, to take the grandfather's property when he dies and secretly threaten to expose Rachel as an impostor if she refuses to comply.

In scorn of his son, the grandfather sends them away, but his trusty solicitor, Mr. Grumbloch, gives Rachel his address and tells her to come in an emergency.