Absorbed in his painting, Robert Gainsworthy neglects his wife. Jack Sanders, Robert's cousin, visits them and becomes infatuated with the heartsick wife, but Gainsworthy did not see. The expression in the face of his picture not satisfying him, and observing his wife and Sanders together, he plans to accuse her of unfaithfulness, note the expression on her face and paint that expression into his picture. He did so. The innocent wife, persuaded by Sanders to elope until Robert should come to himself, leaves a note for Robert. The picture completed, he goes to tell his wife of his success, finds the note, and his pleasure of success is turned to bitterness. The artist reclaims his wife from the unworthy Sanders, both happy in a new and better understanding.
—Moving Picture World synopsis