Laura Taylor has the approval of her godfather, Mr. Benson, to become engaged to struggling broker Philip Linton, but not the good wishes of her father, who thought a middle-aged broker named Lawrence Burke would have been a better life partner. Burke threatens to ruin Phillip if he does not relinquish his claim on Laura. After hearing of her sweetheart's troubles, Laura goes to her godfather's office and tells him of Burke's intentions. Mr. Benson, a figurehead in Wall Street, turns the tables on Burke, reducing him to abject poverty.