- In the French town of Savenay live Arlette and her grandfather Chaupin, the proprietor of the inn. Richard Vale, an impoverished young American artist, comes to Savenay to sketch and lodges at the inn where he meets Arlette and induces her to pose for him. During this period, Arlette falls deeply in love with Richard, who is on the brink of starvation. When wealthy libertine and art connoisseur Prince Boissard arrives in Savenay and lusts after Arlette, he proposes to help Richard in return for the girl's consent to become his mistress. Arlette agrees, and Boissard, feigning an interest in Richard's work, sends the young artist to Italy to continue his education. A year passes and Richard returns, now a celebrated artist. Boissard then demands payment of Arlette, who reluctantly agrees to honor her debt. Before she can be dishonored, however, Boissard's servant Sarthe, who is devoted to Arlette, stabs his master, thus freeing the girl to marry her artist.
- In the town of Savenay dwell Arlette and her grandfather, Chupin, the proprietor of the Inn. Arlette's mother, having brought her into the world without benefit of clergy, Arlette's pathway has been far from smooth, the village gossips making her life intolerable in one way or another. Richard Vale, a young American, on a sketching tour, makes his headquarters at Savenay, setting up his artist equipment in the attic of an old mill house. He meets Arlette and induces her to pose for him. She falls in love with him, but his impersonal manner holds her off and she hides her feelings carefully. Vale's cash runs low, and in time he is reduced to the starvation point. Prince Boissard, a noted patron of the arts, an accomplished libertine and a leader in the night life of the capital, comes to the little town for a period of rest and recuperation. He slops at the inn and begins to lay siege to Arlette. She repulses him until he offers to finance Vale. For reward he claims her as his mistress. Arlette wavers, but finally agrees to the bargain, stipulating that he fulfill his side of it first. Vale is introduced to Boissard, who simulates an interest in his work. He leaves to continue his education in European art centers. Arlette, also, is sent away in the care of a companion. She is taught the fine arts and graces of the up-to-date Parisian beauty and blossoms into an exquisite butterfly. Always in the background of her consciousness, however, is the shadow of her approaching sacrifice. The Prince lives up to his word. After a time, Vale, educated by celebrated masters, gains renown. His painting of Arlette as a pagan nymph wins the grand prize at the spring salon. Boissard insists that Arlette pay her debt. At a ball given in his chateau he demands that she publicly acknowledge him as her lover. Arlette complies and Vale, who is present, leaves the banquet hall disillusioned and broken. Sarthe, the Prince's Hindoo servant, who is devoted to Arlette, seeks out the artist and tells him the real state of affairs. Together the two rush back to Arlette's aid. In the struggle that ensues between Vale and Boissard the latter is mysteriously stabbed and dies. Vale, believing Arlette the slayer, accuses himself to the authorities, and she, in turn, attempts to assume the guilt. Both are exonerated by the dying confession of Sarthe, who commits suicide. Sarthe for years had borne his master a grudge, and in order to save Arlette had sent him to his grave. Arlette and Vale are reunited.
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