Ilse Burnley is Emily's motherless best friend, who lives in Blair Water. Ilse's father is a doctor, and ignores Ilse until he finds out Ilse's mother didn't do it, and then pampers Ilse. A talented elocutionist, Ilse goes to study at college, and gets involved in a romantic tangle. On her wedding day, she discovers her fiancé is not the man she loves! SPOILERS AHEAD!!! As Ilse prepares to marry Teddy Kent, a relative brings news that Perry Miller is dying. Suddenly, Ilse realises she has always loved Perry; no one else! But is she too late?