Bryce Gilbert convinces his daughter, Virginia, that she should not elope with a casual boyfriend and sends her to Italy to stay with his fiancée, Duchess Bianca. Bianca's nephew, Duke Andrea d'Arona, is indifferent to women and devotes his time to experiments with ether waves. Virginia arrives in an airplane, which crashes into Andrea's radio tower. Eventually, he succumbs to Virginia's charms. Elena, Andrea's sister, has been indiscreet in her love for Count Stelio Danieli, and he refuses to marry her. She asks Virginia to plead with Stelio. Virginia invites Stelio to her room, and there he makes advances to her. Andrea and Bianca come into the room and find the two in a compromising situation. Virginia refuses to explain, hoping to protect Elena. Elena kills herself, leaving a note explaining her unrequited love. Andrea attempts to kill Stelio, and a fight ensues in which Stelio falls to his death. The tragedy brings Virginia and Andrea to a deeper understanding of their love.