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Private Notes
The tiny penal colony of New South Wales, desperately short of supplies, struggles for existence. Ellen Prentice, like most convict women, offers her favours in return for extra rations.
'Beltrasna', Stephen Mannion's country property, is now well established. Worked by convicts, the land not only supports those of the household, but is a source of supply for Sydney Town. Elle, the convict mistress of 'Beltrasna' is shocked to learn from Mannion that while in Ireland, he met a young, wealthy Irish girl, Conor, whom he plans to marry. Though humiliated and angry, she has little choice but to agree to stay on as housekeeper,
Patrick Mannion is sent to England to recuperate following a bad bout of fever but his tutor, Mark, remains as Mannion's secretary. Conor is restless in her new life. Mannion is a hard man and imposes severe restrictions on her activities. When tragedy strikes for Conor, her grief and loneliness are alleviated only by a growing friendship with Mark.
As governors come and go, unrest in the colony increases. Members of the military corps seek power for themselves and there is the threat of convict rebellion. Sent to Sydney for safety, Conor finds happiness in the company of Mark, who as resigned from Mannion's household.
Macarthur, a neighbour of Mannion's, shares his distaste for the new Governor Bligh's attitude to convicts, emancipists and those who have been granted their freedom; Bligh has little time for Macarthur.
Ellen, declaring it was she who killed Mannion, is arrested, but Patrick, disbelieving her confession, searches in vain for Johnny. Conor goes to Sydney where she renews her friendship with Bligh, his daughter Mary - and with Mark Harvey. When the clash between Macarthur and Bligh reaches crisis point, Patrick and Mark prevail on Conor to return to 'Beltrasna' for safety.
Ellen's son, Johnny, makes a new life and remembers old friendships. Conor faces the wrath of a proud man and reveals her own long suppressed spirit.
