In order to study music, Eric Fane goes to Paris, where he becomes infatuated with a Russian princess. Eric writes popular songs, earning enough money from several successes to lead a wild and rich night life. Eric soon tires of the superficiality of his music and turns to serious composition--living a life of poverty which the princess refuses to share. Eric eventually drifts into Port Said, where he plays the piano in a low dancehall; he gets into a fight with a drunken sailor, shooting him and assuming his identity. He sails to the South Seas, where he jumps ship and is found by Teita, a beautiful young English girl whose parents have died. Eric and Teita find love and happiness, but the night before they are to be married in a native ceremony, Eric finds a mark on her shoulder that he believes to indicate leprosy. He sends for a Christian doctor, and, while he is waiting, composes a great concerto. The doctor arrives and informs the couple that the girl suffers only from a minor ailment. Eric's music is later performed in London, where it is received enthusiastically by the people and the critics.