Being the first story of "Who Will Many Mary?" Mary Cuyler (her real name) at her grandfather's death, was left in possession of a fortune of one hundred and twenty-two thousand dollars a year, representing his interest in the Silver Star Mine in California. Upon visiting the office of the Trust Company, Mary is surprised and gratified to receive a visit from Mrs. Reed, wife of the president of the Occidental Trust Company and an old friend of her mother. She invites Mary to make her a visit at her country place in Maroneck and Mary accepts. At the country house Mary meets a brilliant gathering of debutantes and young men. Among the latter are two New York society men, a Scotch nobleman, an Italian duke and Captain Justin Bradford. The Italian duke, Leonardo di Ferrara, is in a distinctly impecunious state. Suffering from the insistent demands of indignant money lenders, he looks upon the recently arrived young heiress as a direct answer to his prayers. Captain Bradford falls in love with Mary at his first sight of her, hut as he has nothing to recommend him beyond good looks and a sterling character, he has at first little chance against the Duke's glittering personality and Machiavellian methods. The duke succeeds in becoming a hero in Mary's eyes by rescuing her from a fire in the stables, which has been started by a stableman bribed by the unscrupulous nobleman. A little later, however, Mary is given a true insight into the character of her fond admirer. While she is sailing on the lake with the Duke the motor boat is set on fire by the engine. The Duke seizes the only available life-preserver and jumps overboard, leaving Mary to her fate. Bradford, who has been following the course of the motorboat with longing eyes, swims to Mary's rescue. Afterwards when Mary attempts to find and thank her gallant, rescuer, she discovers that he has been ordered to headquarters.