Geraldine, the daughter of a wealthy New Yorker, is in Hungary and about to return to the United States after an absence of seven years. As a farewell, a masked ball is given in her honor at the American Embassy. Count Carlos Kinski, a distinguished young nobleman, is one of the guests and catches a momentary glimpse of her face. He falls in love with her at once and tries in vain to ascertain her identity. In second cabin he makes the acquaintance of Geraldine during the voyage. Just when his wooing is most propitious, there comes a blow from the dark. His elder brother, while secretary to the Austro-Hungarian Embassy in London, trifled with the affections of an American girl, then cast her off and she ended her life by leaping from a high balcony. Fraulein Handt, a governess to the daughters of the Ambassador, who are guests in Geraldine's home, rake up this story and charges it to Carlos.