| Plot Summary |
Joachim Napoleon Murat, the son of a laborer, who rose to be a powerful aid to Napoleon Bonaparte, and who married Bonaparte's sister, Caroline, was created King of Naples. He was regarded as a usurper by many of the Neapolitans. A meeting of conspirators is taking place in a church. Lots are drawn for the man who is to make an attempt upon the life of Murat, and the die falls upon Perugini, a florist. Anna, Perugini's daughter, is accosted by young bloods and roughly handled. A passing man protects her. This man is Murat, walking incognito through the city. Perugini makes his attempt upon Murat. Murat defends himself, and the florist. is arrested. Anna recognizes in Murat her protector. She is stricken with grief at the thought of her father's fate, and she goes to Murat to ask for pardon for her father. Murat is easily induced to grant the pardon. Captain Renzi is commanded to carry it to the prisoner's inquisitors, and Anna accompanies him. Perugini shows scornful indifference, until he learns that it is due to his daughter's intervention with Murat. Then he passionately denounces her as unworthy of his fatherhood. Anna, thus repudiated, is glad to accept the consolation of Captain Renzi, who counsels her to enter the service of Queen Caroline. She is brought before the Queen, and is made waiting maid. Anna faithfully performs her duties, but she makes a hero of Murat. Murat shows her some favor. Captain Renzi warns the Queen anonymously, and Murat, to dissipate the Queen's distrust, affiances Anna to Renzi. Anna, to escape from the union, returns home, deciding to brave her father's anger. Again she is turned away, but her return has disclosed to her a new plot against the King. The day her father makes a second attempt to thrust a knife into Murat's breast, she flings herself between him and his victim, and receives in her own bosom the death wound. She dies bravely with Murat's kiss of gratitude upon her lips.
Written by Bioscope - July 4, 1912
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