Immediately following the death of San Guido's prince, Prime Minister Franz Garletz determines that Princess Antoinette shall marry Count Ferranzo, a roué. Antoinette, a convent student who secretly goes to the local inn to watch the stage show, begins a flirtation with Clarke, a young American tourist, but leaves quickly at the toll of vespers. To avoid the abbé, she hides in the trunk of Clarke's car, and when he drives past the convent, she makes known her presence. When told of the impending marriage, Antoinette determines to make herself as ugly as possible; at the same time, however, she disguises herself as a coquette and attracts Ferranzo. Hearing of the betrothal, Clarke gains entrance to her apartment; she assures him of her love, but he is taken prisoner. Garletz, determined to put an end to the coquette and Clarke, sends them across the border; there, Antoinette discloses her identity, and the lovers are married.