- Newly wealthy Isidore Lechat lives in a castle in the south of France. He believes that business is the most important thing in life, but manages to stay attached to his children, although he believes that his wife's slovenly appearance detracts from his social position, so he doesn't let her go out in public. He begins an affair with Celeste, an acquaintance of his wastrel son Xavier. He believes that this may be the beginning of a new cycle of personal and business triumphs for him, but soon matters begin to take unexpected turns.—frankfob2@yahoo.com
- Isidore Lechat, a wealthy Frenchman, lives in his castle in the south of France, together with his daughter, Germaine, and his wife, Madame Lechat. Although Isidore has a craving for money, he is fond of Germaine and his son, Xavier, who is attending college in Paris. Isidore hates the nobility and conceives a plan of having a nobleman working for him. He hires the Vicomte le da Fountenelle, who is in poor circumstances, supports his son in college by working as steward at the castle. Madame Lechat is a woman of slovenly appearance. Isidore gives his usual Sunday banquet to the neighbors to impress them and win their favor, and refuses to let his wife attend because of her dress. Germaine is in love with Lucien Garraud, overseer of the castle, but they realize that Isidore would never give his consent to their marriage. Isidore goes to Paris to see his son, Xavier. Xavier is leading a fast life, entertaining girls of the boulevards and the cafes. Isidore is not displeased with this, and in fact, abets Xavier by giving him money for his expenses. Celeste Saint Jean, a friend of Xavier, urges Isidore to leave his wife, but he tells her it is impossible, because he must live for the future of his two children. Pierre Dauphin, a lifelong friend of Isidore who is on the verge of bankruptcy, finds Isidore is in town and decides to appeal to him for a loan. Isidore refuses because of unsuitable security. In despair. Dauphin kills himself in Isidore's office. Isidore is accused of murder by Dauphin's wife, who has followed. He sympathizes with her, but tells her that with him business is business. Isidore goes back to the castle and the Marquis de Porcellet calls upon him and asks for a loan upon his land. Isidore conceives the idea of marrying Germaine to the Marquis' son and offers him the loan upon this condition. The Marquis refuses. Xavier goes to Monte Carlo, where he loses several hundred thousand francs at the gambling tables. Gruggh and Phinck, two swindlers, call upon Isidore and attempt to interest him in a mine which is inside the military lines and cannot be worked without the consent of the Minister of War. Isidore evolves a plan to secure a permit to work the mine and thus turn the tables upon the swindlers. Xavier comes to his father for money. Xavier's chum is Henri de Braggard, son of the Minister of War. Isidore bargains with Xavier to get Henri to use his influence with his father to allow the operation of the mine, and in return for this he agrees to pay Xavier's debts. Tn the meantime, the Marquis, having to raise money, decides to accept Isidore's offer to have his son marry Germaine. Germaine refuses to marry the Marquis. Isidore is astounded and demands an explanation. At first Germaine refuses to explain her reasons, but after an angry scene with her father, she tells the Marquis that evidently his son would not wish to marry a woman about to give birth to a child. Isidore is thunderstruck. Hp orders the Marquis from the room, and seizing Germaine, attempts to strangle her. Lucien enters and forces Isidore to leave Germaine alone, telling him that he is the father of the child to be. Gruggh and Phinck see in the paper that Isidore has secured a permit to operate the mine and realize too late that he has turned the tables upon them. However, they have signed an agreement to deliver the deeds at a certain hour and must carry out their contract. Isidore appeals to his wife to prevent Germaine from leaving. As Madame Lechat is on the point of persuading Germaine to stay, Celeste enters. At this his wife turns against him. The Vicomte enters and tells Isidore that they are bringing the body of Xavier in ; that he has just been killed on his way back to Monte Carlo. This completely unnerves Isidore. Learning of Xavier's death, Gruggh and his partner. Phinck, hurry to the castle, believing that they can escape giving up the deeds to the mine, thinking that the tragedy that has overtaken Isidore will prevent him from carrying out the deal. Isidore does carry out the deal and receives the deed to the mine. In his room, Isidore is about to kill himself when Celeste prevents him. In the struggle for the possession of the gun Celeste is killed. The story closes with Isidore on the verge of insanity.—Moving Picture World synopsis
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