After the events narrated by Jane Austen in Mansfield Park, Tom Bertram has mended his ways and settled diligently to assisting his father in the administration of the family estates. When Sir Thomas dies some years later, and the full responsibility devolves upon the new Sir Thomas, he cannot welcome it. The obligations are irksome and difficult; he must forgo his remaining pleasures. But in spite of himself his love life catches up with him, adding to the confusion but ultimately setting him free to a happiness he feels is quite undeserved.