Gilbert Irving and Bertie Erroll have been inseparable companions since boyhood. At a house party Mrs. Allen announces the engagement of her daughter, Lucille, to Gilbert and the pair are congratulated. At the reception Madam Eloise and her companion, a count, are introduced. Gilbert is at once infatuated by her charms, and neglects Lucille. Bertie sees the trend of affairs. By intimidation and money he induces the count to leave, but the woman remains. The count informs her that she has Bertie to reckon with and resolves to defy Bertie. Gilbert loves the woman madly. Madam Eloise sets about it to effect an estrangement between the friends and incidentally remove the opposition of Bertie. She first succeeds in making Gilbert insanely jealous, and then writes Bertie an impassioned letter declaring her love for him, knowing that he will be too honorable to divulge the contents. Bertie replies to her in a denunciation. Gilbert discovers the correspondence and demands that the Madam show him the note. She burns it and then tells him Bertie has tried to force his attention on her and, failing, has written her an insulting letter. Gilbert is wild with anger. The plans of the woman do not miscarry. Gilbert challenges Bertie to a duel and his friend has no alternative than to fight. Lucille is dangerously ill and Gilbert and Bertie are summoned to her bedside. Bertie arrives first and she dies. The grief of Bertie is pitiful. He throws himself across the form of the girl and his anguish is witnessed by Gilbert. Bertie is thoroughly aroused and he asserts himself, being shown in his true character. He orders Gilbert from the room. Gilbert and Bertie meet on the field of honor. Bertie discharges hi pistol in the air, but falls mortally wounded. Gilbert bends over him, and with his remaining strength, Bertie gives him the note received from the perfidious woman and falls back dead. Gilbert reads and it is revealed to him the treachery of the woman, the innocence of his friend, and his headstrong action. All stand out clear and he is stricken with remorse. He proceeds to his home and seeks out the woman. He confronts her with the letter. She denies having written it and he, in his rage, forgets that he is a gentleman, that she is his guest and orders her from his house. She goes and Gilbert falls, prostrated with grief and remorse.