Hartley, fascinated by the vampish Leonie, steals and serves a term in prison. Not satisfied with this downfall, Leonie again works her womanly charms upon Dr. Gerald, who is engaged to Johanna, the adopted daughter of Dr. McLean. Learning of the woman's designs on the young doctor, Hartley denounces her in Gerald's presence. In response, Gerald foolishly renounces Johanna and his friendship with Dr. McLean. However, when Leonie discovers that Johanna is her own daughter whom she had deserted as a child, she becomes conscience-stricken, gives up the young man and begs forgiveness.

Isabel Clifford sits to be painted. Her artist is Marion Leslie, a man distracted by matters of the flesh. Not Isabel’s flesh but Lorelei’s, the same Lorelei who wows the corrupt police chief, Sarpina, with her virtuoso vocal performances. She is Mexico’s most celebrated opera diva, Marion’s fiancé, and Sarpina’s passion, yet she boils with petty suspicion over Marion’s friendship with Isabel.

The dying mother, tells her only child, an orphan, of the wealth and power of her family and of her royal blood.