Intrigue

A duel in France in which the Chevalier de la Roche kills the Vicomte de Valdeterre, results in an ongoing feud between the two families. Years later, in New Orleans, Valdeterre's son Henri arranges a duel with the son of the Chevalier de la Roche, known as the Little Chevalier. Overwhelmed at the swordsmanship of the Little Chevalier, Henri faints and, upon regaining consciousness, leaves the de la Roche estate. Later, at a ball held at the governor's mansion, Henri meets Diane, the daughter of the late Chevalier and, smitten, begins to court her. This arouses the jealousy of Delaup, who is the governor's secretary and an ardent suitor of Diane's. Delaup discovers a royal proclamation sent to Henri, granting him the power to seize the de la Roche estate, and attempts to use the document to force Diane to marry him. In response, Diane sends for Henri, and when he arrives, he finds the Little Chevalier waiting to duel. Henri's refusal to fight is met with the Little Chevalier removing his cloak to reveal that he is really Diane. The long term feud between the two families is then ended with Diane and Henri's marriage.

A duel between Chevalier de la Roche and Vicomte de Valdeterre, resulting in the death of the latter, is the cause of eighteen years of animosity between these two families, the climax of which is reached when Valdeterre's son, now a full-grown man, plans to avenge his father's death and arranges a duel with the only living descendant of the Roche family, Valcour de la Roche, known as "The Little Chevalier. " Vicomte de Valdeterre is startled when a golden-haired youth greets him, all ready for the duel. During the duel, "The Little Chevalier" proves himself a much better swordsman than his opponent anticipated, and under the strain the Vicomte faints. When he regains consciousness he leaves the estate. A ball is given at the Governor's castle and the ceremony of the King Cake, an ancient French tradition, takes place. A bean is hidden hi the cake and the lucky lady who gets the bean is allowed to choose her companion king for the evening. Valdeterre, Diane, beautiful daughter of the late Chevalier, and Philippe Delaupe, an ardent suitor of Diane's, secretary to the Governor and known as a troublemaker, are among the guests. Diane's cake contains the lucky bean. She accidentally drops it and the Vicomte picks it up. As he offers it to her she tells him he may retain the bean, thus consecrating him her king. During the evening Valdeterre and Diane become acquainted. All goes well until Valdeterre learns that the charming young lady is of the Roche family. This causes Valdeterre to affect a cold attitude, whereupon Diane leaves with Delaup in haughty fashion. Valdeterre realizes that he is in love with Diane and when he is presented with an order from the King, giving him power to seize the Roche property, which their father obtained unlawfully, he refuses to exert his prerogative. At a public game Valdeterre, Delaup and Diane are once more brought together. A game requiring marksmanship is played. Valdeterre, because of his over-anxiety to win, fails to display his usual skill and as a result Delaup carries off all the honors. As Valdeterre goes away, Diane follows and stops him, saying, "If your father died by the hand of mine, my father died because of yours in exile. I, at least, have never harmed you. Why do you hate me?" As the Vicomte is about to answer Diane, Delaup calls Diane back to the game. Delaup takes this opportunity to warn Diane against Vicomte de Valdeterre, saying he knows something which he does not care to disclose. While at home Valdeterre accidentally finds a marriage contract between himself and Diane written by their respective parents in their days of friendship. The contract mentions that, "If any difference should arise between the two houses of Valdeterre and La Roche, it will in no way affect the contract." That night Valdeterre rushes joyously to Diane with the news and in answer to his proposal she says, "People say things in the moonlight which they regret after. I shall answer you in the morning, if you are still of the same mind," and adds, "If Monsieur Delaup had not warned me, I might answer, but...." Valdeterre repairs to Delaup's room and finds him engaged in opening letters not belonging to him. He makes Delaup resign his position as secretary to the Governor. Delaup endeavors to force Diane into marrying him, saying that soon she may find herself without a home and shows her the letter to Valdeterre from the King, renewing Valdeterre's claim on the Roche estate. Diane sends a message for Valdeterre. Valdeterre arrives, and on entering the Roche estate, hesitatingly picks up his sword, expecting to meet Valcour, "The Little Chevalier," but then deliberately puts the sword down again and says no matter what the Chevalier thinks of him he will not fight. "The Little Chevalier" approaches and greets Valdeterre with the words, "Are you afraid to fight?" Valdeterre replies, looking down, "Monsieur le Chevalier, I refuse to cross swords with you; think of me what you will." A sobbing note is evident in "The Little Chevalier's" voice when he replies and Valdeterre quickly looks up to be confronted by the presence of Diane, who has quickly removed her long boy's cloak and reveals her true self. "The Little Chevalier" is a myth, a disguise adopted by Diane to defend the honor of her family. Valdeterre clasps Diane in his arms and the two are happily united.