- Catherine Bush, a lowly office worker, uses her attractive personality and her perseverance to lift herself to a high place in society, eventually becoming Lady Catherine.
- A member of a middle-class English family, Katherine Bush wants to break into the higher ranks of society. She is entrapped by Lord Algernon Fitz-Rufus and gains experience to arm herself for a career in high society. Katherine becomes secretary to Lady Garribardine, whose nephew Gerard is unhappily married and very fascinated with Katherine. She uses Gerard's infatuation to further her ambitions and through him she meets distinguished statesman Duke Mordryn. Despite their class difference, he is so taken by Katherine that he proposes marriage, but Katherine's developed sense of honor forces her to refuse because of her previous involvement with Fitz-Rufus. The Duke recognizes Katherine's lofty character and persists until Katherine accepts his offer of marriage.—Pamela Short
- Katherine Bush is from a large middle-class English family. She works as a typist for a money-lender. She meets Lord Algernon "Algy" Fritz Rufus, a charming young "man about town." Katherine decides she will use the young man to learn "the ways of gentlemen," and she agrees to go away with him for a weekend. The two have a wonderful time together. Katherine begins to grow fond of Lord Algy, but realizes this relationship could endanger a career she has set for herself. Upon returning home, she writes him a letter, saying farewell. Lord Algy does not give up, and when the two meet in a park one day, he proposes. Katherine believes he is simply infatuated, and turns him down. She applies for a position as secretary to Lady Sarah Garribardine and goes to live at her home. There, Gerard Strobridge, Lady Garribardine's nephew, takes an interest in Katherine, even though he is married. Katherine decides to learn about the finer things in life from Strobridge. One night, after a dance, Strobridge throws caution to the wind, goes to Katherine's room, and declares his love for her. Katherine feigns indignation, but Strobridge leaves more in love with her than ever. Lady Garribardine, who realizes her nephew is in love with Katherine, sends the pair to the opening of Parliament. The Duke of Mordryn, a leader in Parliament, gives a speech, and Katherine decides that he is her ultimate goal. She suggests to Strobridge that he give a dinner for the Duke, and he reluctantly obliges. Katherine succeeds in getting the Duke interested, but he has no idea she is just a secretary. When Lady Garribardine gives a house party for the Duke, he meets Katherine in her true position. At first, the Duke is taken aback. But then he declares his love for Katherine. She realizes that she truly loves him, but also realizes that he would be unhappy marrying someone so beneath him in society. So the Duke returns to London. But he soon returns and proposes. Katherine tells him all about Lord Algy, but their love is strong enough to overcome anything.
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