Amaryllis Minton, left to her own resources following her parents' divorce, visits her brother, Peter, and in the country she meets young John Guido Forrester, an aspiring violinist, with whom in her childish way she falls in love. John saves her from an attempted suicide and takes her home to the "magic garden," where they vow eternal love before John's father takes him to Italy to study. Ten years later, Amaryllis goes to Venice and there meets John on the night of his debut. Though under the influence of the Countess di Varesi, he reaffirms his love for her. Upon their return, Amaryllis' father rents the Forrester home, and they await the return of John; Peter invites him on a yachting cruise, and the yacht is reported sunk. Amaryllis weeps in the arms of John's father, but in the moonlight John returns to her, playing "Amaryllis" on his violin.