This story opens with a minuet in progress at one of the old Colonial mansions. Gallant gentlemen and fair maids dance to the slow musical strains with enjoyment and grace. Lady Bettie, a bright and charming maiden with a will of her own and courage to do and dare, is beset by two suitors, gentlemen of equal rank and eligibility. My lady flirts with both, but seems unable to make up her mind as to whom she shall finally choose. The morning after the dance, Lady Bettie is in her boudoir. Their little niece comes running in, bringing with her a gypsy, whom she has encountered while at play. The two girls eagerly offer their hands to the gypsy to learn what the future has in store for them. Lady Constance is well pleased with what she hears. Lady Bettie is told that one of her two lovers seeks her gold alone. Angrily dismissing the gypsy, Bettie broods over what she regards as a slight to her charms, and finally conceives the idea of disguising herself as a man and find out for herself. Her sister tries to dissuade her, but in vain. The self-willed young lady, disguised as a Continental officer, starts out on her mad escapade. Boldly entering the tavern of the Blue Hen, where the nobles were wont to assemble, she quickly finds herself in a whirlwind of action which takes her through a succession of astonishingly amusing adventures, culminating in her discovery that one of her lovers is a villain. In angry resentment of a remark made by him, reflecting upon herself, Lady Bettie slaps his face and finds herself involved in a duel. The result of the encounter, how Lady Bettie is extricated from the perilous position in which she finds herself, how true love finally triumphs, how villainy is overcome, is charmingly set forth by a succession of charmingly interesting comedy.