As they are leaving the church following their wedding, Count Adrian Beltrami and Countess Anna-Marie are told that the Austrians are marching on the town to quell an Italian uprising. The bride and relatives induce the count to flee to his castle, but Tangy, a silhouette cutter, brings word from the revolutionary committee asking him to return; the count goes, asking Tangy to pose as the count and protect Anna-Marie.

La historia narra cómo dos condes recién casados se ven sorprendidos al salir de la Iglesia por las tropas austriacas, que están sometiendo una rebelión italiana. Aunque deciden ir a su castillo con sus invitados, pronto se ve que el jefe del ejército quiere seducir a la joven condesa...