With the birth of her son, Laura's affection for her husband is submerged in her mother-love for the child. Deprived of his wife's companionship, Horace drifts away from her. The man falls into the toils of Rita, an actress. The woman loves Dugan, a reporter on a yellow sheet. Dugan suggests that Rita elope with Horace as a means of getting publicity. The unscrupulous woman agrees. Horace falls into Rita's net and the two plan to elope upon the occasion of a reception given by Laura, which is to be held a few days later. Laura is amazed to find the notorious actress among her guests, upon the night of the affair. Shortly afterward, a frightened maid informs the hostess that her child is ill. All the guests depart, with the exception of Rita, who waits for Horace. A doctor declares that Laura's baby has a severe case of diphtheria and the house is quarantined. Rita is furious when she discovers she cannot leave the house. Enraged by the collapse of her infamous scheme, the woman reveals her true self to Horace. Thinking of the little wife who is fighting for their child's life, Horace turns from Rita in disgust. Several nights later, Dugan, impatient for news, steals to the rear of the house. Evading the police on guard, he attracts Rita's attention. Laura comes upon the two and learns what her neglect of Horace has brought about. She confronts the actress, who shrinks in fear from the enraged wife. Thus Horace finds them. Falling to his knees, the husband acknowledges his baseness and begs to be forgiven. But Laura, taking him in her arms, declares the fault to have been her own.