- Jean Servian's eyesight is failing and is desperate for money, marries wealthy widower Geoffrey Vane after telling him that he must be satisfied with her gratitude rather than her love. Then, following an affair with artist Philip Derblay, who finally leaves her, Jean settles down to a quiet, boring life with Geoffrey, who knows nothing about her failed romance. Years later, however, after Lucille, Geoffrey's daughter by his first wife, becomes engaged to Philip, Jean feels compelled to tell the story of her own affair with him. The disclosure has little effect as Lucille makes no change in her wedding plans, but then, when she breaks in on a violent argument between Philip and Lucille, Jean accidentally shoots and kills her former lover. A trial results in her acquittal, however, after which Jean realizes that she really does love Geoffrey, who easily forgives his wife for her past indiscretion.—Pamela Short
- Jean Servian had been at work at her bench since early morning, rounding out the final rough mask of a cameo with her fine chisels. She was fatigued, and stopped every few minutes to draw her hand across her eyes. Lucille Vane, who was sitting for the cameo, inquired if Jean was suffering with a headache. Jean replied that her eyes were very tired. When Godfrey Lane, the father of Lucille, and a man of great wealth, entered the studio a few minutes later, he found his daughter placing a wet bandage of Jean's eyes. Mr. Lane had grown extremely fond of Jean, and found that while at his office he continually longed for the time to come when he would call and see the artist at work. At first he thought it was only his earnest desire to be at the side of his child, to whom he had been more and more a companion since the death of her mother, four years before. Mr. Vane stood in silence, looking upon the motherly attention of his daughter. Gently he asked if he could do anything. Just then Lucille removed the bandage from Jean's eyes, and, and to the astonishment of all, the artist exclaimed, "I cannot see." Mr. Lane immediately summoned a specialist, who, after an examination, said that there was only one thing to do; -Jean would have to take a prolonged rest away from the studio, if she was ever to see again. After considerable persuasion, Jean finally accepted Mr. Lane's proposal to stay at his country home for at least two weeks. Mr. Lane's infatuation had now grown to a strong love for the artist. Lucille's time was taken up, for the most part, with her tutors, and Mr. Lane would relieve the nurse and take Jean for walks. One day he proposed to Jean. Jean, who had surmised that such a question would be asked her, had been turning over the matter in her mind, and decided it probably would be best for her to accept. The evening that Jean engaged herself to her host the bandages were removed from her eyes and she could see. The marriage was performed at an early date, and a couple of months later Jean received a letter from Rosa Derblay, her chum and fellow-artist, who worked across the hall from her when she lived in the studio. Rosa said she had a surprise in store for Jean, and hoped she could "break away from her beloved husband," as she expressed it, for at least a week-end in the city. Jean turned the letter over to her husband, who graciously gave his consent. Rosa greeted her old friend affectionately, and they made their way to the familiar studio of Rosa. The surprise she had in store for Jean was the fact that Rosa's brother had returned from Paris a fortnight before, and Rosa had set him up in Jean's old studio. Jean found Philip, the brother, a delightful companion, and the trio had many good times together. They visited the rendezvous of the Bohemians for their dinners and their nightly amusements. One night, after they had lingered over their dinner unusually long, Rosa received a call from a friend uptown, saying she had suddenly fallen ill and would Rosa look in for an hour, at least. Jean insisted on going along, but Rosa would not listen to this, and admonished her brother to take good care of Jean, see her home, and added that she would join them at the studio later. After Rosa had gone, Philip continued to order more Chianti, over the gentle protests of Jean. Shortly before ten o'clock they left, and when they mounted the steps leading to the studio, Philip asked her to step into his studio to look at a few of his paintings while waiting for Rosa. Once inside the studio, Philip surreptitiously locked the door behind them, and then began to make love to the terror-stricken Jean. Then the steps of Rosa were heard upon the bottom stairs. More for the love of Rosa than any other thing, Jean did not speak of the outrage. The next day, after offering a logical excuse, Jean left and returned to her home. A year later Jean was again called to Rosa's studio, but it was not for a holiday in town. Rosa had been stricken with a fatal malady and died before Jean reached her side. While in the city Jean learned from some of her friends that Philip had been keeping company with a strange, but pretty little girl, whom he boasted was quite wealthy, and that he intended to marry her. This did not arouse any interest on the part of Jean until she further learned that the girl was none other than Lucille, her step-daughter. Lucille had been attending boarding school in the city, and had promised Philip she would run away with him when her present term was completed. Jean hurried to Lucille, but she would not listen. Jean then told her step-daughter what kind of a man Philip was, but this had no effect upon her. Jean then threatened Philip with exposure if he did not leave Lucille at once, but he remarked that if Jean did not keep her mouth closed he would go immediately and tell her husband. That evening Jean recited in detail to her husband her experience with Philip in the studio. She had implicit faith in her husband's bigness of character. But he failed her in this crisis. Like his daughter, he immediately placed the blame on Jean herself, and in a rage ordered her from his home. Jean left for the city, and made her way in an aimless manner to her old haunts. Instinctively, her steps led to her old studio, but she desired to see Philip less than any person living. In the street she saw a figure darting in and out, as if to avoid attention. It was Lucille. Philip, fearing his plans would be frustrated, and that Jean's husband would believe her story, had determined on desperate measures. Through a ruse he had invited Lucille to his studio, saying he was ill. Jean followed Lucille at a safe distance. She saw her enter the hall leading to Philip's studio. Jean followed and waited outside. Suddenly she heard Lucille scream. Jean broke the door and fired at Philip, killing him. At the Lane home, where Jean was fast becoming her old self again under the tender care of her husband and Lucille, all three decided that they would do their best to be the happy trio they had been in the days when first Jean had come to visit the Lane country house.—Moving Picture World synopsis
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