Mr. HardCastle is a wealthy countryman. He is expecting Marlow, the son of his old friend sir Charles Marlow. He plans to get his daughter kate to get married to the young man. Marlow is said to be bashful and reserved. But Kate decides to have a try with him. 

Obeying his father, Marlow sets to visit Miss.HardCastle with his friend Hasting's.On their way they arrive at an inn where they meet Tony Lumpkin, HardCastle's stepson. He directs them to Hzrdcastle's old house as to an inn. so the friends arrive at Hardcastle's house with an impression that it is inn. Hasting meets his lady love, Neville and Through her comes to know the truth that they are at Hardcastle's house. But he keeps it a secret from Marlow. 

Taking hardCastle as the landlord of the inn. marlow behaves rudely to him. Kate who knows that he is under a delusion decides to play the role of a bar maid to Marlow.Marlow is attracted by the beauty and is impressed by the cleverness and intelligence of the barmaid. He holds her hand and this is Noticed by HardCastle.
When Marlow behaves outrageously to HardCastle, he loses his patience and asks him to leave the house. Incidentally Marlow learns that he has been in the house of HardCastle and feels ashamed of himself. Miss. HardCastle meets him and confirms the truth. She tells him that she is a poor relation of the family Marlow is touched by her simplicity. He wants to run away, but Kate decides not to let him go. she has stooped to conquer him.

Mrs. HardCastle wants her son Tony to marry Neville, so that she can keep Neville's fortune which consists of jewels, in the family. Hastings wants to elope with Neville to France. But she is unwilling to part with her fortune. Tony has no eye neither on Neville or her jewels. He is willing to help Hastings to elope with her. Mrs. HardCastle who comes to know about hastings plan of elopment so she decides to take away Neville to her aunt Pedigree. Tony decides to help Hastings. Mrs. Hardcastle drives off with miss. Neville in the post chaise with Tony on horseback.
on the other side, Sir Charles Marlow arrives at the house of HardCastle. Marlow begs pardon of HardCastle for his rude behaviour. HardCastle readily forgives him. but Hardcastle and Sir Charles Marlow are confounded when Marlow denies to have grasped Kate's hand. kate's askd them to watch unseen while she gets Marlow to declared his love to her.

Tony meets Hastings and tells how he has taken Neville and his mother round and round and brought them back to the horsepond at the bottom of the garden. Hastings goes to rescrue Neville. She is not ready to elope with him without the jewels.
Miss. HardCastle is saved by her husband who understands that it is one of Tony's tricks. Marlow comes to take leave of Miss. HardCastle. He Praises her beauty and simplicity and believes that he would be able to persuade his father to let him Marry her. So he decides not to leave the house. When he kneels down before her, both sir Marlow and HardCastle enter.

Finally HardCastle announces that Tony is already of age. Now Tony formally renounces Miss. Neville and so she is free to marry anyone she pleases.