Although she has been betrothed to Baron Badeau since childhood, Fidele Tridon, daughter of a wealthy New Orleans importer, is in love with Philip Collett. The baron refuses to release her so she plans to elope with Philip. The baron tricks his rival into a duel, but he is wounded in the arm and Philip is sent to jail. Fidele marries the baron to free Philip, then flees to her lover after the ceremony. Upon finding her gone, the baron is stricken with paralysis and Fidele returns to nurse her husband. The baron recovers within a year, but conceals this fact from his wife lest he lose her. On the night of the Mardi Gras ball, the baron attends, dressed as a jester. Fidele mistakes him for Philip and reveals that she is aware of her husband's deceit. When the baron's valet enters disguised as his master, she offers him a choice of two glasses of water, one of which contains poison. The baron realizes that he has lost Fidele and frees her to find love with Phillip.