- Petrina Faneuil (Pauline Frederick), a wealthy but lonely girl, marries a man of equal social status, Harry Vassall (Leslie Austen). Their friends Dick Lechmere (Lou Tellegen) and Felicia De Proney (Helena D'Algy) also marry, and thus begin a series of trials within the marriages and external social pressures that eventually cause both couples to divorce. After more misfortune and misery, Petrina and Harry are reunited; but Felicia dies, and Lechmere kills himself out of grief.—Pamela Short
- Petrina Faneuil, wealthy descendent of Boston Puritans, is engaged to Harry Vassall, who shares a similar background. Dick Lechmere, Harry's old friend, is cynical, and advises Harry that Petrina may be loyal but may not be suitable to someone of his temperament. Dick tells Harry about his own experience - how several years ago he met Felicia De Proney, an opera singer, and married her against his better judgment - and how the marriage ended in divorce. Still, Dick tells Harry that he loves Felicia. Harry tells Dick to go find her and reconcile. After Harry and Petrina are married, they go to London on their honeymoon. There they meet Harry's sister Emmy, her husband, Sir Humphrey de Bohun, and their seventeen-year-old daughter Polly. Emmy is set on divorcing her husband, and Polly fears for the publicity such a scandal would cause. At a dinner at the Carlton House, the Vassall's meet Dick, and take him to Covent Garden with them. There, they see Felicia performing in Aida. Dick becomes gloomy, especially when Felicia flaunts his applause. Meanwhile, Emmy's divorce is finalized, and she and Petrina dine together in a public. The pair are spotted by Humphrey and Harry. Harry is enraged, and afterwards warns Petrina to obey him, telling her he is her master. Petrina snaps her fingers at him in contempt. Petrina decides to enjoy herself and takes every opportunity to irritate her husband. When the two return to Boston, Emmy and Polly go with them. Emmy and Polly move in with Harry's mother, while Petrina and Harry move into Petrina's mansion. Petrina decides to give a party on New Year's night, but since it falls on a Sunday, Harry objects. Then he tells Petrina he will be in Chicago that day to attend a conference. Petrina gives the party anyway, and hires a number of vaudeville entertainers to provide amusement. Liquor flows freely. Dick is among the guests, and finds pleasure in Petrina's company. Harry returns at the height of the party but holds his tongue. But after the guests have let, he and Petrina have a violent quarrel. Petrina tells Harry that the next time he leaves, she hopes he will stay away forever. He takes her at her word, and the next day warns her that if she will not live with him in his own house he will never return. Petrina tells him she prefers to stay in her own house, and the two separate. Two years pass without reconciliation, even though both long for each other. Then, feeling hope is gone, Petrina obtains a divorce. Meanwhile, Sir Humphrey has taken up with a woman named Gentian Tyrell, much to the disgust of his ex-wife Emmy and their daughter Polly. Polly decides to help Emmy and Sir Humphrey reconcile, and her plan works. She then leaves Boston and travels. She meets Dick, who tells her he is still in love with Felicia. Despite this, he and Petrina decide to get married for companionship. Afterward, they go to live in the home of Dick's ancestors near Boston, where they lead a quiet and secluded life. Harry is crushed by this turn of events, and pours out his love for Petrina in a diary. Emmy finds the diary and brings it to Petrina. Petrina has her eyes opened, and burns the book. She now realizes that she is not, at heart, Dick's wife. Dick reads in a London paper that Felicia, having lost her voice, is now in America, penniless and in need. Learning she is in New York, Dick goes to look for her, to no avail. Meanwhile, Felicia comes to Dick's home during a storm. Petrina, in a moment of jealousy, sends her away. Dick finds Felicia on the road, wet and unconscious, and Petrina trying to drag her back to the house. As Felicia is dying, Petrina tells her that she, Petrina, has never been Dick's wife. Felicia dies in Dick's arms. Petrina calls Harry and asks him to come over at once. Harry arrives with his mother. They hear a pistol shot, and discover that Dick has killed himself. Harry's mother sees Harry and Petrina weeping, and opens her arms to both of them, saying "Whom God hath joined together man cannot put asunder."
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