Plot

A strong dramatic story is woven around the love of a famous actress who has become deeply infatuated with the handsome bodyguard of a Prince. The Prince, himself enamored of the actress, hears of her attachment for his bodyguard. Captain Duval, and informs the lady in a letter that if, at her reception, she shows but one sign or word of affection toward Captain Duval, the latter shall die by the sword of the Prince, who is the most expert duelist in France. The letter is carried to the actress by no less a person than Captain Duval himself. The actress keeps her lover in ignorance of the contents of the letter, and on the night of the reception she is put to the extreme test of her art in hiding her feelings towards the man she loves, tearing her very heart chords while she laughs and mocks at his words of love in order to save him from the Prince's wrath. Convinced from her attitude that the Prince has supplanted him in her affections, and wild with jealousy and rage. Captain Duval confronts the Prince and, seeking revenge or death, forces His Highness to fight him a duel. Meanwhile, the guests having laid a wager as to whether the actress' talent shines best in comedy or tragedy, she is sought out and forced to prove the wager. While in the midst of a very humorous scene portraying comedy, the actress hears the clash of swords in the garden and, realizing that her lover's life is in danger, she rushes to the door leading to the garden, but finds to her dismay that it is locked. Frantically she struggles to force the lock, and implores her guests to assist her; but they, taking it for granted that her change of emotion is but a sample of her versatility, only applaud her apparent display of talent. Her grief and anger at being unable to make them realize that her emotions are real and not mere acting are wonderfully portrayed, and this scene alone stands out as a pronounced dramatic triumph in the field of the silent drama. Reaching the garden at last, the actress finds the dead body of the Prince and receives the taunts of her soldier lover. She finally convinces him, however, by means of the Prince's letter, that her apparent change of heart was only assumed and the reunion of the lovers forms a pretty finale to another strongly dramatic scene. Mlle. Morin's portrayal of the famous, actress in all her varying moods from coquetry to tragedy, from light comedy to pathos, is a wonderful piece of work and one that will be greatly appreciated by those who admire the highest and best in the silent drama.—Moving Picture World synopsis