Intrigue

Florence Brent is the daughter of Bennington Brent, who runs a successful laundry business. Florence's childhood friend, John Oglesby, is a Congressman. When Florence visits her friend, Eleanor Williamson, in Washington D.C., she meets Eleanor's fiancé, who is a Count. The Duke of Buritz, a countryman of the Count, tries to corrupt Oglesby for political reasons. Meanwhile, the Count breaks his engagement to Eleanor, having become enamored of Florence. Oglesby eventually exposes the duplicity of the Count and Duke.—scsu1975

Bennington Brent, the laundry king, uses the phrases of the trade to shrewdly express his observations. His daughter, Florence Brent, being of another generation, reflects the finish or, as Brent expresses it, "the satin gloss" of wealth and elegance. Congressman John Oglesby, her chum from childhood, is a handsome young statesman and a prominent member of the National Assembly. Florence visits her chum, Eleanor Williamson, who lives in Washington and meets Eleanor's fiancé, Count Krinburg. The Duke of Buritz, a fellow-countryman of the Count, endeavors to corrupt Oglesby for international-political reasons. But he fails in his estimate of the man. The Duke, who is the ambassador for his country at the American Capitol, is introduced to Florence by the Count, on whom she has made a great impression. The attentiveness of the Count to Florence leads to the breaking of her engagement by Eleanor Williamson, but having inherited an estate, the Count feels independent of international marriages. The blasé attitude of the Duke is changed to deep and sudden interest by Florence's beauty and charm. Florence Brent, in turn, is dazzled by this foreign nobleman of royal blood. The Duke is so entranced that he proposes to and is accepted by Florence. He departs for his country to arrange for the wedding. He meets with the opposition of his family, but prevails upon them to invite Florence to Buritz. Because of his love for Florence, John Oglesby accedes to her father's request and goes abroad with the Brents. The Duke is playing a desperate game to overcome the obstacles in the way of his marriage to Florence, and as plan after plan fails, he forces Florence into a tangled situation. The subtle deception of the Duke and Count is discovered and shown up by Oglesby, who solves the seemingly impossible tangle.—Moving Picture World synopsis