Enjoying the comforts of his well-kept home, country doctor William Harrison is prevailed upon by his longtime friend Charles, a bachelor, to dispense some advice on the «wooing and winning» of women's affections. Lured to rural Duncombe by the promise of a partnership in a country practice, William fi nds himself trapped in claustrophobic provincial life where society is apparently presided over by the scheming of a set of under-occupied middle-aged women. Afterwards, the hapless young physician fi nds himself betrothed to three women – none of whom is the beautiful Sophy, the woman he truly desires.