Miss Milner initiates a precarious romantic pursuit of her guardian, a Catholic priest, thereby challenging the rigid social and religious constraints of her era. The narrative follows Miss Milner as she attempts to navigate the tension between her impulsive nature and the austere moral expectations imposed by her guardian, Dorriforth. As their relationship evolves from guardianship to marriage, the couple struggles to reconcile their disparate temperaments within the confines of a society that demands strict adherence to gender roles. The story is presented through a third-person perspective that examines the psychological friction between individual desire and institutional duty.

Discussion often centers on the novel's status as a precursor to the domestic realism popularized by Jane Austen. Readers frequently highlight the psychological depth Inchbald grants to her female protagonist, noting how the character's flaws make her particularly compelling. Critics often point to the author's ability to balance social commentary with a nuanced portrayal of human fallibility. The pacing is noted for its focus on internal character shifts rather than external action, providing a detailed look at the consequences of social pressure. Many readers find the resolution of the plot to be a thought-provoking commentary on the limitations of the era's moral frameworks.