Yvonne (Greta Garbo), an artist's model, falls in love with Andre (Robert Montgomery), who is studying for a career in the consular service. They become lovers, but Andre is unaware of Yvonne's past relationships. When he finds out, he leaves her. Later, when Andre discovers Yvonne living in poverty, he buys her a country home. When he tells Yvonne that he is planning to marry someone else, she pleads with him. After reading about the suicide of a friend, Liane (Karen Morley), who killed herself when her lover Delval (Lewis Stone) left her, Andre decides to give up his career for Yvonne. He goes to tell her this, but finds one of Yvonne's former lovers pleading with her to return to him. Andre tells Yvonne he will forget everything, but when he falls asleep, she writes him a farewell note and leaves, determined not to ruin his life.