The narrative begins at a boarding school in Chichester where fifteen-year-old Charlotte Temple is noticed by Montraville, a British army officer, and his companion Belcour. Urged on by the cunning French teacher La Rue, Charlotte is persuaded to elope with Montraville just as his regiment receives orders for America. Despite her momentary regrets and the heavy sorrow of her departure, she leaves behind her devoted parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Temple, whose peaceful cottage life and philanthropic disposition are shattered by the news. Mr. Eldridge, Charlotte's grandfather, brings the fatal note to the family, plunging her mother into profound grief.
Once arrived in New-York, Montraville's passion cools as he becomes infatuated with the wealthy Julia Franklin, while Belcour orchestrates a malicious plot to make Charlotte appear unfaithful. Belcour falsely compromises Charlotte while she is asleep, leading a jealous Montraville to abandon her to poverty and sickness while he prepares to marry Julia. Abandoned, pregnant, and heavily in debt, Charlotte faces the harsh realities of abandonment when even her former seducer's associates offer no help. Desperate, she seeks shelter from the now-married La Rue, who cruelly turns her away in the snow. Sheltered by a compassionate soldier's family, Charlotte gives birth to a daughter before sinking into a fatal fever. Her father arrives just in time to receive her last breath and her infant, while Montraville, discovering the truth of Belcour's treachery, kills him in a duel and spends the remainder of his life haunted by remorse at Charlotte's grave.
