In 19th-century France, wealthy, single young Bettina is pursued by dozens of young men, but she believes that they're interested more in her money than in her and rejects them all. Young Army Lt. Jean Reynaud meets her and falls for her without knowing how wealthy she is; when he finally finds out, he is afraid that, because of her high social status and his low one, he'll be perceived to be just another gold-digger, and his sense of honor won't permit that, so he turns her away. She, however, doesn't want to be turned away, and he finds the tables turned when she pursues him.—[email protected]

For more than 30 years, the Abbe' Constantin has been cure of the little village of Longueval, France. The people are dependent for their existence upon the estate of Longueval and when they learn that the castle has been sold to foreigners, they see their existence menaced. Mrs. Suzie Scott is the purchaser. She is an American of great wealth, whose 17-year-old sister Bettina is just as rich. Bettina has had numerous offers of marriage from penniless noblemen. Foremost among her suitors is the foppish Paul de Lacardens. The priest has a nephew, Jean Reynaud, a lieutenant in the cavalry, who in all respects except birth is a son of the good old man. When the Scotts arrive their first duty is to visit the Abbé. He learns that they are good Catholics and he is almost paralyzed with surprise when they give him money to distribute to the poor. Jean had never met such women before and for the life of him could not decide which of the two was the more beautiful. The women delight in Jean's honest simplicity, and it is not long before Jean decides that Bettina is to him the more beautiful. About this time Paul de Lacardens arrives and renews his conquest of Bettina's fortune. Jean discovers that he adores Bettina, but looks upon her money as a barrier between them. Bettina discovers at the same time that she is in love with Jean, but she waits for him in vain. There is a ball at the castle. Jean decides to leave the following morning, and to see Bettina just once more he goes to the ball. Here the girl presses herself upon the modest lover, but this only increases his discomfiture. Paul asks her for a waltz and she lies to him, telling that she has promised to dance with Jean. She confesses her lie to Jean, but he will not dance with her. Jean says a hurried goodbye to Bettina and leaves her, but Paul follows from a nearby hiding place. Jean refuses to quarrel with Paul, who thinks he is afraid. Paul double his insults and even goes as far as to invite Jean to fight him. They fight with sabers beside the castle wall and Paul is defeated and completely crushed. Bettina awakens at an early hour the following morning and decides that she will go to the road and wave good-bye to Jean. She goes out into the drizzling rain and instead of finding Jean, she discovers three thugs who have been hired by the vindictive Paul to horsewhip Jean. Bettina hurries to the Abbé, and the priest commands Jean to marry her.—Moving Picture World synopsis