Artist Standish using his wife Mary as his model finishes a painting of the Madonna. When the Connoisseur and the Parishioner inspect the picture, the Connoisseur tells Standish that the model was a one-time paramour. Buying the painting they depart. Standish confronts Mary, who tells him that she believed herself legally married to the Connoisseur. Unbelieving he ejects her and their baby son. Pe...

Broadway star Mona Mainard retires from the stage for marriage to rising attorney John Norton and watches his career climb. Over time she becomes concerned with his at times unscrupulous ways of getting convictions. When her brother is accused of murder Norton refuses to give up the case despite being aware of his innocence because a victory could land him the governorship. Mona takes extreme step...

At her mother’s behest Kate Leigh marries wealthy Basil Kildare, owner of a Southern plantation called Storm. When Basil’s servant and mistress Mahaly protests bitterly he takes their shared son away from her. Kate discovers her new husband is a coarse and brutal alcoholic and turns for friendship to Dr. Jacques Benoix and his mother. When Basil becomes aware of their relationship, he finds the do...

Parisian opera star Nora Harrigan is idolized by legions but not her rival Flora Desimone. Edward Courtlandt pursues her, but she rejects him in favor of Herr Rosen. Nora is abducted but by whom is a mystery though Courtlandt is suspected. Once free Nora goes to the south of France accompanied by her parents. By chance she again meets Courtlandt and though she has lost interest in Herr Rosen she r...

Young high school teacher Rosalie Allen rejects the love of Dr. Paul Duncan to "save" Lionel Brooks, a man down on his luck.

A husband and wife are arguing about how to spend their money, when 'Democracy' appears and convinces them to invest in Liberty Bonds.