Jim and Diana Stannard were rendered penniless gentlefolk after the disaster which befell their father's investments. Pressured by mounting debts and maintaining the facade of genteel living, Jim determines to make a fresh start overseas with the last of the family's assets -- his father's old land claims in Canada. Diana, appalled by the prospect of a harsh colonial existence, swears she will not accompany him -- but her foiled theft of her hostess's jewels leaves her no option. When they arrive at the remote Fort Roubideaux, the pair have staked everything on the possibility of finding gold on their land. Forging friendships with the local inhabitants, Jim finds himself drawn to the young, vivacious French-Canadian Marcette -- and when he is caught in a vicious snowstorm, it is she who harnesses a sled team and sets off after him into the frozen North...