This novel, of which only the first part is written, is divided into four parts representing four important times in the youth of Aimee Tully, known as Miss Jane Walden after part one. The four parts of her life are:
1. THE BIRTH OF JANE WALDEN
Jane, born Aimee Tully, is abandoned to the streets of Baltimore.
2. THE EDUCATION OF JANE WALDEN
Jane is rescued by a mysterious benefactor and sent to a seminary for a proper education.
3. THE VOYAGE OF JANE WALDEN
The benefactor, who owns a shipping company in England, allows Jane to experience some of the world. He lets her travel the coasts of South America for a year.
4. THE EMPLOYMENT OF JANE WALDEN
Jane gets her first employment with The Sun newspaper of Baltimore as a journalist.