Carlotta has been brought up in an Italian convent, unaware that she is the illegitimate child of American architect J. Winthrop Drake. When her mother, an Italian opera singer, dies, Drake finally learns of Carlotta's existence and brings her back to New York with him without revealing the truth of their relationship.

Vincento Perez, the governor of the Portuguese colony of Exile, is an unscrupulous and brutal man who is hated by the natives. Furthering his schemes, Perez tries to force silk dealers out of business, and reveals his plans to government engineer Richmond Harvey in a letter appealing for the American's help.

Sonia Smirnov, a Paris opera singer known as "The Black Butterfly", starts an affair with young Alan Hall. Hall, however, is still pining over his previous lover, a young peasant girl.

With a price upon his head. Texas Pete takes to the open country.

The bored clubman sought the excitement of the street. The husband, believing himself neglected for his child, left his home. There in the back saloon seeking shelter from the storm, the two met the demi-monde. The clubman displayed his enticing work of art, when to their surprise a picture of the Madonna and child confronted their view. The storm over, they went forth into the sunshine of the world.