In the 1890s, young Lady Catherine (Joan Crawford) decides to leave her husband (and her son Arnold) in favor of her lover ("Hughie" Porteous). Thirty years later, young Elizabeth (Eleanor Boardman) is facing the same choice between her husband (the now grown Arnold, played by Creighton Hale) and lover (Malcolm McGregor). In the meantime, Arnold's mother Lady Catherine and lover Lord Porteous are coming to visit.