While in Italy, the Duke of Chatsfield secretly marries a peasant girl, and they have a child, Francis. The boy's parents die after having separated, and he is reared in a monastery. When he is 20, Francis takes his final vows, while his uncle, a duke, learns that Francis is the true heir to the dukedom; a dispensation is granted by the Pope, and the boy assumes the title. In London, Mario, a penniless novice, masquerading as Baron Giordano, hopes to marry Monica, Francis' beautiful cousin; and to eliminate his rival he engages Dolores, his ex-mistress, to ensnare Francis. He succumbs to her wiles but on a visit to his relatives falls in love with Monica, and they become engaged; Monica, however, breaks off the betrothal after finding that Dolores loves him. Francis returns, embittered, to London and embarks on a series of flirtations; but learning of Monica's acceptance of Mario's offer, he returns to the monastery. Dolores tells Monica of the Baron's scheming, kills herself, and the lovers are reconciled.—AFI