- On one of the by-streets of New York City, a young, enterprising Italian sculptor has his workshop. Sylvester is his name, and on this particular day he is much fatigued from continuous modeling. Upon glancing at the clock, he notes the lateness of the hour and just begins to fondle his pet violin, when Paolo, a prosperous Italian, much interested in the sculptor's young wife, enters. Sylvester suspects nothing, and as the two men converse, Elenora, the wife, returns home only to tell her husband of the futility of her attempt to sell his wares. This news causes much disappointment to Sylvester and his feeble old father-in-law because of the poverty-stricken condition of the family. They are thoroughly discouraged until Paolo, seizing this opportunity, offers assistance. Sylvester, innocent as to the object of the loan, gladly accepts it, and leaves his home to purchase food for his wife and her father. In a short while Paolo and Elenora are left alone, and the former takes advantage of this crisis in the condition of affairs, by making violent love to Elenora; but just as he clasps her in his arms, her father enters unexpectedly. He stands aghast, dumbfounded, but is too weak to resent this insult to the family honor. About this time Sylvester returns, happy and exuberant in the purchases he has made. Rather than hurt his son-in-law's sensitive nature, he is kept ignorant of what has just happened. Finally the three depart to an adjoining room, leaving Paolo alone, until the young wife returns. An excited and hurried conversation ensues, and just as Paolo starts to kiss the infatuated woman, her husband enters. He is aware of their confusion, but fails to comprehend the cause. A few nights later, as the old man lies asleep in his chair, his daughter creeps stealthily into the room. Undecided herself as to whether the promptings of her heart are the instincts of true woman's nature, she hesitates for a moment, then slowly kneeling beside the enfeebled figure, she kisses the wrinkled hand. He partially awakens at the touch; she crouches beside him, and as he relapses in slumber she quickly leaves the room. From there she goes to the workshop where she meets Paolo. Sylvester, disheveled, and roused to fury by the sight that meets his astonished eyes, with a cry of a soul tortured to desperation, springs at Paolo's throat. A furious struggle follows, during which the old man, startled by the unusual and unseemly noise, seizes an antiquated pistol and enters the workshop. In the excitement that is going on, and in the dimness of the room, he fires a shot. With a groan Sylvester throws his hands to his face and falls heavily to the floor, as Paolo and Elenora rush from the house. The old man lights the candle and is grief-stricken at what he has done, for though the bullet missed, the powder striking full into Sylvester's eyes, renders him completely blind. Sylvester, now grown gray, wearing glasses, and carrying his violin, is being led by his father-in-law. A young society girl, accompanied by her father, passes by. She stops, delighted with the music, and asks her father to have Sylvester play at her wedding, soon to occur. Her father acquiescing, she engages the musician's services for the occasion. Elenora hears a knock on the door and is handed a letter, which reads: "Elenora: Enclosed find decree of divorce that I have obtained from you; also a check for £2,000. I am beginning a new life in America. Let this be final between us. Paolo." Acting upon an impulse, she leaves London at once for America. Dora's wedding day has arrived. Sylvester and the old man are in the park. Elenora passes, at the sound of the music she turns and is startled as she recognizes the pair. She follows them until, spent with fatigue, she staggers and falls fainting to the ground. At this juncture, Dora and her father pass in their automobile. Seeing the woman lying prostrate, they lift and place her beside them, and drive to their home, where they revive her and make her comfortable in the guest chamber. It is now evening, and Dora, gowned in her wedding dress, enters the room, and Elenora, with tears of gratitude, thanks her for her kindness and hospitality. As Dora leaves, Elenora, in gazing out of the window, recognizes Paolo, who is speaking to the best man on the veranda. It is then she realizes that the opportunity and time for her revenge have unexpectedly arrived. Suddenly she hears the strains of the wedding march, and rushing among the astonished guests, she faces Paolo and the startled minister, crying out, "Stop this marriage, I command you!" She then denounces Paolo, and. overcome with emotion, swoons in her father's arms. Paolo attempts to deny the charges, but is suddenly confronted by Sylvester, who discards the spectacles that have thus far hidden his identity. Paolo's demeanor bespeaks his guilt, and Dora's father orders him from the house. A few months later, Sylvester, happy and content, seeing all the beauties of nature through his wife's eyes, while seated in his little garden, together with Elenora and her father, is joined by Dora, who, thoroughly recovered from her imagined love, is a constant visitor at the little home provided by the savings of the one-time unfortunate and erring Elenora.—Moving Picture World synopsis
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