After fifteen years, Joshua Judd (Charles Ogle) tells his adopted son, Amos (Valentino), that his real father was an Indian maharajah overthrown by Ali Khan (Bertram Grassby). Amos, then a young boy (played by an uncredited Pat Moore), was rescued by General Devi Das Gadi (George Periolat) and taken to America for his safety. (Joshua's merchant brother had been a trusted friend of the late maharajah.)
As described in a film publication, Margaret "Peg" O'Connell (Taylor), according to her uncle's will, is to be educated in England under the supervision of her aunt, Mrs. Chichester (Lewis). Upon her arrival from Ireland, she is looked down upon by the Chichester household for her lack of culture, and she vows never to become a lady. She meets Jerry, a young man from a neighboring estate, who becomes her friend. Then she discovers that he is Sir Gerald Adair (Hamilton) and rebels at the deception he has been conducting. She also finds out that the only reason her aunt is keeping her is because of compensation from the will. Peg leaves to return home, but finds that she is in love with Gerald. Gerald follows her and proposes.
As described in a film publication, Valentine Moreland (MacLaren) has married her husband for money and jilted Geoffrey Sherwood (Powell). He feels her rejection keenly, and his friend Tony Hewlitt (David) finds Geoffrey alone in his apartment drinking. Miriam, abandoned by her husband and whose child had died from neglect, has been forced out on the street when her room's rent becomes overdue. Tony sprays some soda water out the window and hits Miriam. Miriam is invited in and Tony offers to compensate her for her hat. She tells Geoffrey her story, and he sees that he is no worse off than other people. Miriam works with Geoffrey in his South American business and he helps her get an apartment. She loves him and tries to win his affection, but he is held back by his memory of Valentine. Valentine has become weary of her elderly husband and seeks Geoffrey at his apartment. Miriam arrives and, seeing that Geoffrey is infatuated with Valentine, resolves to leave. Valentine glances out the window and, seeing her husband John (Wellesley) entering the house, panics. Miriam hides Geoffrey and Valentine in the next room, and, when John comes in, convinces him that she is Geoffrey's mistress and the only woman there. After John leaves, Valentine decides to rejoin her husband. Miriam leaves and, after sending a letter to Geoffrey indicating an intent to kill herself, leaves on a boat for South America. Geoffrey pursues her in a seaplane and rescues her when she jumps of the ship. They are married and honeymoon in Rio.
L'action se déroule dans le duché de Bourgogne. Le vieux comte de Charolais est un des grands de l'Empire, mais la levée d'une armée de mercenaires pour un ultime combat le laisse ruiné. Alors que la bataille se termine, il est tué par une balle tirée dans son dos. Malgré son prestige militaire, les autorités locales lui refusent une tombe officielle faute d'argent ; d'ailleurs la coutume accorde aux habitants le droit de conserver le corps jusqu'à ce qu'un proche ou un héritier du défunt paye une rançon : c'est ainsi que la dépouille du chevalier est déposée dans le beffroi.
En Chine, une jeune femme du nom de Ming Toy, est proche d'être achetée aux enchères comme esclave quand Billy Benson, un jeune et élégant américain, surenchérit et la sauve. Il l’emmène aux États-Unis à San Francisco où elle est remarquée par Charlie Yong, le roi de Chinatown qui souhaite prendre Ming Toy pour femme. Devant le refus de la jeune femme, il décide à plusieurs reprises de l'enlever de force mais échoue grâce à Benson qui, une fois encore, la sauve. Ce dernier décide alors de la prendre chez lui. Mais ses parents, horrifiés à la pensée de voir leur fils épouser une chinoise, la rejettent. Crainte vite effacée quand elle leur explique qu'elle est une femme blanche, qu'elle a été enlevée, enfant, par un couple de missionnaires qu'ils l'ont élevée en Chine, expliquant alors sa proximité avec la culture et les mœurs chinoises, ayant été imprégnée par celles-ci. Les parents consentent enfin à bénir leur union.