Lucinda is unhappily in love with the unscrupulous Sir Blakely, while her sister Briana is expecting a child with poor tenant Rory. When all the crops are ravaged by the felling and famine breaks out in the land, Blakely decides to close the mansion and drive the people who work for him out of their homes. When the heartless sir is shot, the blame falls on Rory. The best prospect for both sisters is to escape to America. But how could they leave their loved ones in such a cruel time and a really better future awaits them across the sea?