A young man finds himself attracted to a cold and unfeeling waitress who may ultimately destroy them both.

General Montriveau, having returned from the Napoleonic Wars in despair, quickly becomes enamored with Duchess Langeais. Across a series of nocturnal visitations, the Duchess mercilessly toys with her hot-tempered suitor, as the machinations of a shadowy conspiracy unfold in the background.

A Scot acquires sophistication in order to spurn the socialite who spurned him.