During World War I, captured British army officer Lewis Allison is sent with several others to an internment fort in neutral Holland. After being caught in an escape attempt, the bookish, idealistic Lewis learns that all prisoners have been paroled and may leave the fort on the promise that they remain in Holland until the war's end. Upon his release, Lewis receives an invitation to live in Enkendaal with the Baron Van Leyden, whose British-born stepdaughter, Julie Von Narwitz, knows Lewis from his Oxford school days. Soon after his arrival, Lewis feels his passion for Julie reviving, but as she is married to Rupert, a German count and officer, he supresses his urge to express it. Eventually, however, neither Lewis nor Julie can deny their common feelings, and Julie confesses that while she admires her noble husband, she cannot love him. Although she prudently sends Lewis away, the baron invites him to return two years later, and desires flame once again. Shortly before the end of the war, Rupert returns from the front, crippled and spiritually defeated. Ann, seeing how much Rupert needs her, dedicates herself to restoring him, again sending Lewis away. Curious, however, Rupert later asks to meet the Englishman, and after a brief conversation, begins to suspect that they share more than a common philosophy with each other. When he learns from his jealous stepsister Sophie that Julie and Lewis spent many hours alone together, Rupert collapses from the shock. Although Julie pledges her life to him, Rupert understands that she loves only Lewis and after blessing their union, dies.