The leading favorite of King Francis's court is the Lady Viola, a lady as witty as she is beautiful. She is courted by the Comte De Lorge and leads him on in his protestations of love. She does not really love him, but likes to keep him away from other women. The Queen secures a new lady-in-waiting, the Lady Anne, a charming young woman fully as beautiful as the Lady Viola, who at once becomes insanely jealous of her. The courtiers are soon at the feet of the new favorite, who shows her preference for none, save possibly the Comte De Lorge. The Lady Viola is furious and does all in her power to keep him away from her. By way of amusement, King Francis arranges a tournament of lions, at that time considered a royal sport. The front of the balcony overlooking the arena is occupied by the King and Queen and their principal attendants, among them the Lady Viola, the Lady Anne and the Comte De Lorge. Thinking to force a public showing of the Comte's love for her, the Lady Viola throws her glove into the arena among the lions and dares any man to retrieve it. The Comte, who sees perfectly well what is in the lady's mind, goes to the rail and prepares to descend. All watch the young man's descent with intense excitement, mingled with fears for his safety, with the exception of the Lady Anne, who cannot bear the sight, but faints away. De Lorge picks up the glove and gets back safely to his place on the balcony. Instead of humbly handing the glove to the Lady Viola, as she expects, he throws it in her face, publicly rebuking her. Then, seeing that the Lady Anne has fainted, he takes her in his arms and helps to revive her. His betrothal to the fair court beauty is at once announced and their marriage at the Cathedral is performed amid great pomp and splendor in the presence of the King and Queen and the whole of his glorious court.