Ignored by a husband who dedicates all his time to improving a universal language, Laurette Maxwell decides to try her youthful ambition of becoming an actress. Wealthy Charles Prescott offers to bankroll Laurette's debut and to clear all obstacles in her road to stardom, and Laurette files for a divorce from Maxwell on the grounds that their daughter Ruth is not his child. Discovering the cause for her parent's divorce, Ruth decides to ensnare Prescott. Her mother discovers the affair and denounces Prescott who, in anger, assaults Ruth. While attempting to protect herself, Ruth kills Prescott and is arrested for the crime, but Laurette establishes on the witness stand that her daughter acted in self-defense. After Ruth is acquitted, Laurette confesses that Maxwell is really her father and the family is reunited.