The story opens in the sublime, unceasing sunlight of the Norwegian Altenfjord, where Sir Philip Bruce-Errington, a wealthy and world-weary English baronet, encounters Thelma Güldmar, a young woman of breathtaking beauty and striking independence. Living in proud isolation with her father, old Olaf Güldmar, Thelma is the subject of malicious village gossip and superstitious fear among the narrow-minded folk of nearby Bosekop, led by the hypocritical Reverend Charles Dyceworthy. Despite her father's fierce hostility toward outsiders and the social barriers raised by their unconventional life, Philip finds himself irresistibly drawn to her purity and depth of character. As Philip and his friend George Lorimer become frequent visitors at the isolated homestead, bonds of genuine respect and deep affection form between the visitors and the proud Norwegian household.
The narrative weaves a rich tapestry of philosophical debates on faith, the beauty of the natural world, and the contrast between modern artificiality and ancient Nordic tradition. Meanwhile, Dyceworthy schemes to undermine Thelma's reputation, driven by a mixture of religious bigotry and rejected lust, while the erratic dwarf Sigurd enacts his own tragic, protective devotion. The unfolding romance faces trials of slander and misunderstanding, yet stands firm on the bedrock of mutual truth and noble chivalry, culminating in a gentle promise of enduring devotion.
