故事講述的是富(fu)家子弟宋(song)(song)(song)金(jin)(jin)(jin)因家道中落而(er)落魄,為船戶(hu)所收留。船家女宜(yi)(yi)春(chun)與宋(song)(song)(song)金(jin)(jin)(jin)漸生情愫并終成眷屬。不久,宋(song)(song)(song)金(jin)(jin)(jin)肺癆病發,船家夫婦騙(pian)其上岸,棄其于荒野,又逼女兒宜(yi)(yi)春(chun)再嫁。宜(yi)(yi)春(chun)不從(cong)父(fu)母(mu)之命,一(yi)直等待丈夫。宋(song)(song)(song)金(jin)(jin)(jin)大難不死,反(fan)而(er)暴富(fu),尋找宜(yi)(yi)春(chun)。宜(yi)(yi)春(chun)與宋(song)(song)(song)金(jin)(jin)(jin)重逢,欣喜(xi)之余卻覺得宋(song)(song)(song)金(jin)(jin)(jin)心事已非,于是忍痛駕舟而(er)去(qu)。