Willi, a brash young lieutenant in the Austrian Imperial Guard, bent on an evening of pleasure, visits a gambling parlor and house of ill-repute. He meets Laura, a sweet innocent girl and spends the night with her, leaving her money in the morning. Devastated to realize that he found her a mere convenience, she becomes the mistress of Herr Schnabel, an unpleasant but wealthy gentleman. Never quite getting over Laura, Willi is goaded by her into gambling with Schnabel and losing more money to him than he can possibly repay. Laura is unaware that Willi must either pay his debt by the next day or take the only other honorable way out: committing suicide.—Doug Sederberg <[email protected]>

Willi Kasder is a lieutenant in the Austrian Imperial Royal Guard. He lives fast and free with many a woman, often beyond his financial means. Taking one's own life is seen as being the honorable thing to do for an officer and a gentleman if he cannot pay off his debts promptly, but Willi feels free to amass these debts as he knows his wealthy uncle, General von Hertz, will bail him out. For financial security, the General wants Willi to marry wealthy Emily Kessner--it would only be a marriage of financial convenience for Willi. Then Willi meets and falls in love with innocent music teacher Laura Taub, who is initially scared of him and his forthright pursuit of her, but she eventually falls in love with him. A move by Willi may threaten their burgeoning relationship, and a return by Laura with a new perspective on life, might unwittingly threaten Willi's entire life.—Huggo