John Rance, a young hospital intern, becomes ill from overwork and goes to a summer hotel for rest. There he meets Lesbia Vane, a frivolous, pleasure-seeking girl, who flirts with him. On return to the city, Lesbia scorns John's love and flouts him. He is heartbroken, leaves the hospital and takes up medical work among the sailors. He meets an old friend, George Cummings, who is about to start on a cruise around the world. John tells him of Lesbia. without disclosing the girl's name. Cummings, while abroad, meets and marries Lesbia. Three years later, he returns with her to America and invites John to come and visit them. Lesbia is cold and indifferent to her husband's love, and when she and John come face to face, realizes she really loves him. She essays the role of temptress, but John turns from her coldly. Later, her husband overhears Lesbia passionately declaring her love for his friend, who tells her, "I love you as of old, but your husband is my dearest friend." Cummings is dazed, and disappears, leaving a note saying he wishes to make Lesbia and John happy by his action. John finds the note, and later, his friend's body, realizes the tremendous sacrifice Cummings has made, and determines his own renunciation shall be as great. Shortly afterwards, when Lesbia tells him, "I am free. I am wealthy; let us be happy," John sternly hands her the note left by her husband. Her better self is awakened and with an understanding of the nobility of the two men, turns sadly away, leaving John Rance alone with the consciousness of having been true to his friend and himself.