The marriage of Marguerite Lenox to a wealthy Russian, and her subsequent widowhood, occasions a trip to Russia by her father, Arthur Bainbridge Lenox. He is a handsome man in the early forties. The noble Weletsky family, into whom his daughter has married, have never seen either Lenox or his wife, but desire Lenox`s co-operation in the settlement of his daughter`s estates. The summons comes while they are in Paris. A passport for two, man and wife, is secured, But Mrs. Lenox is of delicate health and decides to let her husband take the journey alone. The Nihilist, "Helen Marie," is also preparing a trip to Russia. Of unknown identity, her activities are yet notorious, and the police of Russia are warned. Knowledge of the passport is brought to her by a young Nihilist girl employed in Mrs. Lenox`s services. Helene Marie has a just cause against the Russian aristocracy. When hardly more than a child, she saw her family butchered in cold blood.