The story begins when Jean Muir integrates the Coventry family as a 19 year-old governess for their daughter Bella. At their first encounter with her, the family is divided into two factions; one behaving kindly to the girl whom they perceive as poor and unlucky, the other suspecting her of being involved with young Sydney during her service in his mother’s employment.
Gradually, the reader is introduced to the real Jean Muir who is much older than she pretends to be. Having being formerly an actress, she uses her art and skills to deceive the Coventry family in her identity, appearance, and intentions. In truth, Jean’s real objective is to attain social and economical security by marrying one of the Coventry gentlemen.
Jean is smart and manipulative. She analyzes the character and personality of each member of the family, then act accordingly to win them to her favor. Acting thus, she soon enchants mother and daughter, and charms both the younger son and his uncle. The only two people who escape her immediate influence are Gerald and Lucia Beaufort who nurturing doubts on her account remain on their guard for a longer period.
In the course of time, Edward falls in love with Jean and makes her an offer which she obviously rejects on the basis of him being the youngest son inheriting neither name nor title. But Jean is clever, and hides her game artfully. She uses Edward’s advances to get Gerald involved. Appealing to the latter for protection, the three end up in a scene where Edward stabs his elder brother. The governess exerts herself admiringly winning both the admiration and gratitude of Gerald.
Right after this incident, Edward receives a commission and joins the military ranks. Meanwhile, observing the new influence of the governess on Gerald, Lucia intervenes and forbids Jean her cousin’s society. This act, however, only strengthens Gerald’s desire and curiosity about Jean.
Once more, the reader is given a fresh proof of Jean’s cleverness. Not only she does everything in her power to seduce Gerald and enchant his family, but she also works hard to win his uncle’s heart, for in him she sees an easier and more valuable prey. During a role play organized in the hall -Sir John’s home- Jean and Gerald play the roles of lovers. Their interaction, even if brief, leaves a strong impression on Gerald whose heart is gradually softening in favor of the governess. One thing leads to another, in the course of time Gerald declares to Jean his love and breaks off his engagement with Lucia on her account.
Meanwhile, Edward discovers the history of the governess. He writes commanding her to leave his home in three days at the end of which period he would reveal her truth to the whole family. All her plans for Gerald arrested by such an unpredicted impediment, Jean decides to shift her interest to Sir John and marry him before the end of three days.
Coming home at last, Edward reveals the story of Jean to his family. Being able to purchase a volume of letters from her friend and confidante, he discloses to them the mercenary designs with which she came into their service. However, his intervention is a little too late, for Jean during this time has married Sir John and became Lady Coventry. The story ends thus with the triumph of the central character who is at once the protagonist and antagonist of the tale.
