New York City. 1850. A row of imposing red brick homes borders the verdant gentility of Washington Square. At No. 16 reside Dr. Austin Sloper and his daughter Catherine — “an entirely mediocre and defenseless creature with not a shred of poise.” At a party celebrating the engagement of Sloper’s niece Marian, Catherine encounters Morris Townsend, a handsome and charismatic young man who has been living with his widowed sister since squandering his own meager inheritance abroad.
Morris appears to fall instantly in love with Catherine and begs her to run away with him. She is understandably thrilled at his proposal, but her father is convinced that Morris can only be after her money. Determined to quell their budding romance, Sloper whisks his daughter away on a six-month European tour.
Meanwhile, Morris becomes a regular visitor to Washington Square, making himself at home at No. 16 and effortlessly winning the affections of Catherine’s busybody Aunt Lavinia in the process. Upon her return to New York, Catherine is more determined than ever to marry, despite Sloper’s threat to disinherit her. But will Morris still want her?