Synopsis

Barton Hall is a romantic comedy about the vicissitudes of life. The Vaughans are an extremely wealthy, aristocratic family living in Dorset, England. Their youngest daughter, however, is an invalid, and as such has always been a disappointment. In particular, they think she will never marry. What they do not expect is that Alice Vaughan of Barton Hall, despite her disabilities should have more than one man vying for her attention.

Virtually house-bound, and permitted to go no further than the grounds of the Hall, Alice has a limited existence. The situation begins to change when the Reverend Crewe's son, John, is appointed agent of Barton Hall. Alice has known him all her life, and their families possess a vague illegitimate connection, making them second cousins. Alice likes John, but does not entertain the possibility of any romantic attachment to him. Then the handsome Ennersley family move into a vacant house near the estate - the Agent's Cottage, which John has chosen to let.

Rupert, Celia and Antonia Ennersley bring a dazzling taste of the outside world into Alice's circle. They have come from Bath, and due to no fault of their own, have suffered the indignity of reduced circumstances of their father. Now they have to rent a small house with virtually no servants. Alice befriends the family and is quite taken with them. She develops an infatuation for the over-charming Rupert, and as their liaison blossoms, her physical disability markedly improves.

Rupert and his sister Antonia are decent enough young people but the disaster in their lives has affected their morality and they show no scruples in using Alice and manipulating her affections. Meanwhile John Crewe begins to realise he is falling in love with his cousin, although she does not appear to recognise or return his feelings. Matters come to a head when Rupert is offered the gift of a horse by the heiress Isobel McAudley, who desires him, and he allows it to be passed off as a present from the infatuated Alice. John Crewe defends and protects Alice in the face of her father's wrath. Rupert blackmails Isobel into putting aside his poverty and eloping with him. Alice and John at last recognise their love for each other, and all the young people of the area choose their life partners, some getting their just deserts and others doing far better than they deserve.

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