- The czar banishes Prince Sergei to Siberia for marrying without his consent. The wife, Varvara, dies, leaving a baby girl named Vera. Forced to flee, the prince leaves the girl in the care of Vassilly, a friend. Years later, during the Russian Civil War, the countryside is raided by Cossacks. Walter Stanford, an American soldier, saves Vera, now 18 years old, from being attacked by a Cossack chief. The Cossack forces Vera to marry him, then brutally beats her. The soldier returns, claims the girl, and marries her after the Cossack is accidentally buried alive.—AFI
- Prince Sergei Tamiroff, cousin of the Czar, marries without the Czar's consent. The Czar banishes Sergei and his wife Varvara to Siberia. Varvara dies, and leaves Sergei a baby girl, Vera. Sergei builds a shrine outside the village, in memory of his wife, and a flame is kept lighted there day and night. Sergei is warned that enemies threaten his freedom, so he escapes, leaving his daughter in care of his friend Vassily. Sergei never returns, and Vera grows up, believing Vassily is her father. But she is aware of the story of the Prince's great love, and she helps Vassily tend the shrine daily. Fifteen years later, war breaks out. Siberia falls into the hands of Cossacks, led by Juan Godunoff. Walter Stanford, an American officer, arrives in Siberia. Vera, now eighteen, is the object of Godunoff's unwelcome attentions. Walter saves her from Godunoff, and the two fall in love. They use the shrine for their rendezvous. Walter befriends an English soldier named Winkie. When Walter's company is ordered back to America, Vera is left at the mercy of Godunoff, who is now Governor. Vera's only protector is Winkie. Godunoff has Vassily arrested. Vera consents to marry Godunoff, believing it will save the man's life. But unknown to her, Vassily is killed on her wedding day. Godunoff is arrested when two agents of the Commissary Government reach town and throw him in prison. A few months later, Godunoff escapes and returns to the town for revenge. He beats Vera, which causes her to become deaf. In America, Walter has persuaded his mother to come with him to Siberia. With the help of the Commissars, Vera's marriage to Godunoff is annulled, and she is granted permission to go to America as Walter's wife. Before departing, she returns to the shrine. Godunoff, who has heard of Walter's return, is hidden inside, waiting for an opportunity to kill both Vera and Walter during their next rendezvous. Unaware that Godunoff is inside, Vera locks the door. When Godunoff cries out, Vera, completely deaf, is unable to hear him, and the brute is imprisoned for eternity. Vera departs for America with Walter.
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