When Madame Vavin, whose marriage to her second husband in England was not recorded in France, dies alone in a small French village, her divorced husband James Fullerton and his tyrannical sister Cornelia take custody of Dora, the young daughter that she left behind. Fullerton takes Dora to America and raises her as his natural daughter, indoctrinating her with the belief that she has inherited her mother's irresponsible nature. When Dora decides upon a theatrical career, Fullerton considers his fears justified. On stage, Dora meets and falls in love with playwright Willard Holcomb, but the fears implanted by Fullerton and his sister make Dora incapable of romantic fulfillment. As Dora despairs of her fate, Professor Vavin, who has spent years searching for Dora, discovers his daughter and exonerates her mother's besmirched character. Her confidence thus restored, Dora is able to continue with her life.