The story opens at a chateau where gay French life is depicted, introducing Raimond de Mornay, the elder of two sons who secretly loves his cousin Claire. He makes no open declaration of his affection, however, and his brother, Louis, woos and wins her. Unable to stand the jealousy their marriage arouses, Raimond goes to Vienna where he engages in riotous living. His father's death recalls him home, but he is unable to watch the intimacy of the woman he loves with his brother, and he leaves for India where he stays for several years, becoming versed in the ways of the Hindu. A letter from his nephew, Paul, asks him to come back. Believing he has stifled the jealousy that sent him away, he returns.