Cora Williams, an adventuress, is desperately in love with her wealthy cousin, Howard Wilson. She endeavors to captivate him but is treated with indifference. Howard is in love with Mabel and after a short courtship they are married. Cora, mad with jealousy, accepts the attentions of Robert Curtis, a man about town, Mabel and Howard have an ideal honeymoon and after their return Mabel sends Cora an invitation to call on them and Howard invites Mr. Curtis. Cora is furious but Curtis suggests that they accept and it may possibly lead to their mutual advantage. Cora displays a great deal of affection for Mabel but aside shows her hatred. Several years elapse. Mabel is devoted to her husband and their two children, Jessie and Frank. Mabel has two faithful servants in Bridget, the cook, and Toto, the butler. Cora and Curtis are invited to attend the christening of Frank. Cora greets Mabel effusively, hating her all the while. She is still madly in love with Howard and plans to separate him from Mabel. She believes that he will marry her if he is divorced and has custody of the children. Cora suggests her plan to Curtis and he agrees to bring about a divorce for a consideration of $20,000. Cora hands him a note in which she states she will agree to pay him $20,000 on the day she becomes Howard's wife. Curtis carefully puts the agreement away and immediately starts to form his plans to make trouble. Howard receives an important message calling him to the club, which is a subterfuge to get him out of the house. Curtis leads Mabel to believe that Howard loves his cousin Cora and that later he will state that he has urgent business at the club, merely as an excuse to meet Cora. Curtis further states that he can prove to Mabel that her husband is unfaithful. He tells her to drop her fan as they are leaving if she wishes his help. Cora tells Howard that his wife is in love with some other man and intends meeting her lover that night. After the guests depart Howard tells Mabel he must go to the club. Mabel tries to persuade him not to go and begs him to return early. Mabel gives Curtis the signal and under pretense of having forgotten something he returns to the house. He forces his way into Mabel's room and locks the door. Cora meets Howard as he is leaving his house and tells him the letter was only a ruse to get him out of the way and that Mabel gave her lover a signal and that they probably are together now. Howard finally retraces his steps and returns home, going immediately to his wife's room and is astounded to find the door locked. He climbs through the conservatory window and enters Mabel's room. The evidence is all against Mabel and Howard denounces her. Curtis is delighted that his plan so far has worked satisfactorily. Howard brings an action against his wife and is granted a divorce and the custody of the two children. Howard arranges for his cousin Cora to manage his house for him. Bridget is discharged for impudence and when Toto learns of this he tells Cora he will leave. Mabel returns to the house to say good-bye to her children. Cora is provoked at Howard for allowing Mabel to return. Mabel pleads with Howard to let her have her children. Howard makes it clear to Mabel that he will provide her with plenty of money, but he refuses absolutely to allow her to have the children. Mabel on bended knees begs him to be merciful, and Howard, afraid to trust himself longer with her, for fear that he will change his mind, leaves the house. Mabel is desperate and explains to Bridget, who is packing to leave, that she is to be separated from her babies. Bridget suggests taking them without Howard's consent. Mabel, with the aid of Bridget and Toto, succeeds in abducting Frank and Jessie. Curtis calls and demands money. Cora upbraids him for daring to come there and tells him that not until she is Wilson's wife will he get any money. Howard returns and discovers the children missing. He is utterly distracted and Cora immediately begins a search, realizing that unless she finds the children she can never induce Howard to marry her. Eight years have elapsed since Mabel left her home with her two children. Bridget, now Mrs. Toto, is Mabel's best friend. Mabel makes her living by sewing and her daughter, Jessie, contributes to their support by selling papers. Cora pleads with Howard to marry her. He finally tells her that he will make her his wife immediately after he recovers his children. Cora feels that her chances are slim. She meets Curtis at a secret meeting place and tells him Howard's ultimatum. Later on Cora and Curtis see Toto on the street and believe at last they have a clue. Toto, having recognized them, rushes home to warn Mabel. Cora and Curtis discover Mabel and the children and notify Howard. Jessie and Frank, who is very ill, are taken away from Mabel and Bridget is re-engaged to care for them. Bridget tries to comfort Mabel by telling her that it will all come out all right. Cora is triumphant and Howard promises to marry her the next day. Curtis, slightly under the influence of liquor, calls, and Cora is furious at him. Toto, who accompanied the children home, hides behind portieres when Curtis enters the room. Cora asks for the written agreement and Curtis tells her that it is in his laboratory across the river. Cora refuses to give him any money till she is safely married. Toto follows Curtis from the club, discovers where the paper is kept and takes impression of the keyhole. Toto and Mabel go to Curtis's room and find the agreement. Howard and Cora are ready for the wedding. Toto and Mabel arrive just in time and denounce Cora and Curtis. Curtis attempts to shoot Toto and hits Cora. Before Cora dies she confesses the plot. Mabel gives Howard the agreement which Cora made with Curtis. Howard begs Mabel's forgiveness and they are reunited, thus bringing the story to a happy ending.