Fernande de Ferney, a convent-bred orphan, spends the summers with her uncle, Prof. de Ferney, whose property is adjacent to the estate of the Marquise de Monclars. The marquise's son Roger is heavily in debt, but the marquise adamantly refuses to give him any money until he settles down with the love struck Fernande. They are married, but Roger, who is embroiled in an affair with the fascinating Madame de Jussy, spends little time at home. Inspired by a puppet show that depicts a dowdy wife whose husband falls in love with her when she begins to flirt with other men, Fernande ornaments herself in jewels and stunning gowns and soon becomes the butterfly of Paris. The strategy proves successful: Roger abandons his other romantic interests to become her adoring husband.