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- Jack Hilton, naval lieutenant, has fallen in love with Adriana Duncan, a wild beast tamer, but his relatives refuse to sanction the marriage owing to the poverty and to the humiliating occupation of his fiancée. In despair, Milton appeals for the last time to his eccentric old uncle, Marquis Hilton, who threatens to alter his will in favor of another if he persists in his mad intention. A fortnight later, in spite of this determined opposition, the marriage is celebrated. Furious at this disobedience, the Marquis is in the act of disinheriting his nephew when his old complaint seizes him and he dies without having time to change his will. Jack is ordered out to conduct an expedition into the interior of India with a view to discovering the unknown sources of the "Sacred River" of Belopore. Sadly he takes leave of his young bride and sets out upon his journey. In the train he meets Thomas Trevalny, his old school friend, and on board the liner, a few minutes before the departure, he receives the news of his uncle's unexpected death and of his own inheritance. In great haste, Hilton entrusts the important documents to Trevalny, saying that he will send the power of attorney from Calcutta. Left alone, Trevalny determines to gain possession of his friend's valuable inheritance, and gains admittance into his house as gardener in order to intercept the letters from the East, and also Hilton's power of attorney, Trevalny succeeds in his villainous plan, and, while poor Adriana is still waiting for news of her husband, he becomes master of the fortune by means of the intercepted power of attorney. At last Jack Hilton and his expedition are bivouacking on the banks of the "Sacred River." The Rajah, however, an unrelenting foe of all Europeans, is informed of their intrusion, and sends his fanatic soldiers to attack the encampment. Overwhelmed by a superior force, the Europeans are almost all massacred, and Hilton himself is taken prisoner. The Rajah himself condemns the unfortunate man to be burned alive, but, at the entreaty of his favorite Fedorah, he imprisons him for life. Meanwhile Adriana has become poor once more, and believes her husband to be dead. A son is born, of whose existence the father knows not, and Adriana is compelled to devote herself once again to her old profession of wild beast tamer in a menagerie to provide food for her child. At Belopore, the Rajah observes Fedorah's nightly visits to the European's prison, and the unfortunate Jack Hilton is thrown into the Court of Lions. Fedorah, however, persuades the faithful Pipel to save her lover, and he flees from Belopore to his safety. Trevalny, who loves Mrs. Hilton, comes one day to force his will upon her, and is driven from the house by the unexpected arrival of one of her leopards. Furious at his failure, he buys the menagerie where Adriana is employed, and writes a letter to her, announcing his fixed intention, either to realize his desire or to drive her into the streets with her little son. Helpless, Adriana comes to appeal to his better feelings. That same evening, after two years' absence, Jack Hilton returns home, finds the threatening letter, and guesses the danger of his wife's position. Without losing a moment, he runs to Trevalny's mansion, and bursts into the drawing room where the scoundrel is trying to seduce his wife. With a terrible cry he hurls himself upon the traitor, but, at his wife's prayer, restrains his fury until the arrival of the police. So, after so many sufferings, Hilton and his wife embrace once more, while Trevalny awaits the punishment he well deserves.
- Petroff Sementick, a Russian nobleman, becomes ruined financially. His creditors seize all his property and the man becomes a wanderer. He continues this precarious existence until one day he rescues a man from under the wreckage of his turnout. It transpires to be Prince Dimitrieff. In a sudden burst of thankfulness for his deliverance, the Prince retains Sementick as overseer of the palace. Each day's experience drives home to him what a bitter thing it is to eat the bread of others. The great possessions of Princess Sonia only mock her, for the Prince, a man of overbearing vanity, seeks tribute to it in new smiles. Tatiana Leontieff, the Russian imperial Dancer, is his latest conquest. While he basks in the warmth of her calculating smiles, the Princess Sonia wanders alone and forgotten through the palace grounds. Her steps are stayed by the sound of piercingly sweet strains, and thus commences the friendship between the Princess and her vassal which is fostered by their loneliness into a deep love. Tatiana Leontieff tires of her Dimitrieff. A younger noble engages her attention. This noble and the Prince engage in a duel over the dancer. Dimitrieff's life pays the price of his vagrant affections. He closes his eyes on this world in Sonia's presence. She is overwhelmed by grief. Twenty years have passed. Petroff Sementick has degenerated into a simple fellow who is the laughing stock of all. His Princess Sonia had died abroad, leaving a daughter. Sementick, faithful to the memory of his Princess, surrounds her portrait with fragrant flowers each day. Sementick is excited over word that the Princess Olga, Sonia's daughter, is coming with her husband to reside in the palace. Sementick's anguish is terrible to behold. He cannot bear the thought that his daughter will see her father jeered at and a spectacle for all to scorn. But an overwhelming hunger to behold her keeps him from fleeing. The Princess and her husband arrive and accept the rustic entertainment arranged in their honor. Sementick, called upon to do his share, pours forth his heart in the old songs that won the Princess Sonia. Follows a dinner at the palace to a company of notables. After the repast Sementick is called upon to divert them. They ply him with drink, then crown the maudlin with the fool's cap, pelting him with the flowers that decorate Sonia's portrait. At this desecration of his beloved Princess, he regains a terrible lucidity and shouts aloud the secret of his life to the assembled guests. All are shocked by the disclosure. Sementick, fearing the consequences, takes a secret farewell of Sonia's portrait in the morning, before resuming his wanderings. Olga sees him praying before her mother's portrait. A great understanding comes to her. Sementick, on the point of starting from the palace, is called back by the master. He is offered pardon if he will recall his terrible confession. Sementick looks at Olga; her eyes plead with him. He perjures himself. As he turns to leave Olga holds out her arms and bestows upon him a daughter's kiss.
- Emperor Maximian, having married his daughter, Fausta, to Constantine, renounced the purple and went into retirement, but the enforced idleness and his desire for power and action, induced him to again resume the imperial power. In the field near Lodi, where the oath of allegiance of the army has been received, Maximian begins his triumphant return, and we see him again amid the people crowding the streets, impatient to see him again. He enters the imperial court where Constance, a sister of Constantine, and Licinius, the young Caesar of Illyrium, and Fausta are waiting the arrival of their august relation. The love affair between Constance and Licinius is discovered by Fausta, who has instructions to prevent this alliance from being consummated, as Maximian himself has set his heart on winning Constance. As soon as he enters the palace, and the tumult of greetings cease, he goes into the ladies' room and, dismissing Fausta with a sign, is left alone with Constance, whom he tries to win through flattery, but she refuses him. She goes secretly to St. Maternus and listens to his inspiring words, receiving the right of Christian baptism from his hands. Fausta, having followed Constance, sees all and hastens to tell her father of her discovery. Maximian orders a banquet in the hope that the allurements of pleasure will break down the stubborn defense of Constance. Even this fails, for Constance does not even go near the banqueting room. Maximian then calls together the pagan priests; he annuls his decree, giving tolerance to Christianity. Thousands of confessors of Christ will fall. Constance alone, by giving herself up, will be able to appease the bloody sword of the persecutor. He forces the young neophyte, Constance, to be present at the gladiatorial games. A populace present at the games at the hecatomb of martyrs. The heart of the young Christian girl undergoes a terrible martyrdom, but the bravery of these martyrs gives the girl the firmness that only faith can produce. Maximian, again failing in his attempt to win Constance, tries again, and goes to the field of Lodi and, summoning the army, he orders incense to be thrown upon the pagan tripod. Here again Christian heroes give up their lives to their faith, their bodies are carried in chariots before the imperial seat, before the eyes of Fausta and Constance. Realizing that there is no peace in the court of Maximian for her, she, with her companions, mount their horses and rush to the Court of Constantine. Here exists no bacchanalian orgy, but the sweet calm of virtue. Constantine, amid the lowly, the oppressed and the poor, does his work of upright government. Constance tells her powerful brother all of the horrible plots in which she has been involved and the terrors she has seen. In the meantime, Maximian and Fausta plot the death of Constantine and send the corrupt centurian, Elvius Brutus, to execute the treasonable deed. Through a trick, this design is frustrated, but Brutus is led to believe that his work has been carried out and he tells Maximian, who comes before the gallis coharts, exclaiming: "Constantine is dead. I am your emperor!" "Constantine is living!" interrupts a powerful voice, and the austere monarch appears among a crowd of faithful followers. Maximian is put to death and Fausta, fearing the penalty for her part in the plot, rushes word to her brother, Maxentius, in Rome, who declared war on Constantine. Gathering his coharts together, Constantine crosses the snowy Alps and carries the war into Italy. As day is declining, Constantine, unable to rest, paces to and fro between the tents when, at last, his eyes catch sight of something dazzling in the direction of the sun. He sees a splendid cross in the blue heaven in all its glory, with the inscription: "In Hoc Signo Vincis," but the Emperor, not comprehending the meaning of this sign, was further instructed in the clear night where a vision of the Lord Himself appeared, telling him: "By this sign you will conquer," and directing him to engrave the Holy Cross on his shields. The army resumes its march toward Rome, exulting at the miracle. Meeting the army of Maxentius on the Banks of the Tiber, the battle wages fiercely for hours, but eventually, the followers of Maxentius are put to rout and retreat across the Tiber on bridges made of boats, which give way, carrying Maxentius and his men to their death. Having made his triumphal entry into Rome, the first thought of Constantine is to pay homage to the chief of Christianity, Pontifex St. Melchiades. He prostrates himself at his feet, together with the dutiful Constance and promises to give Christianity free liberty and, as a token of filial reverence, gives the magnificent palace of the Lateran, to be the mother church of all the churches of the world. We see Constantine in his triumphant dress in the same imperial hall where the last bloody persecution had begun. Licinius hastens to Milan to joint his beloved Constance, and has signed the decree giving full liberty to Christianity. He is flanked by a victorious host and looks at the people crowded and acclaiming while the herald reads the imperial messages, "We, Constantine and Licinius Augustus, being at Milan to make joint treaties concerning the welfare and security of our people amongst the things which we deem enhancing the prosperity of our subjects, we specially give importance to those that have reference to the homage due to the Divinity and thus we have given to the Christians and to all citizens of the Roman people the liberty to follow the form of faith which each one may severally prefer." The forum is deserted, the darkness of night prevails and Constantine is alone in his hall lighted up by the soft rays falling from a lamp; he holds in his hands a little tablet containing the decree and is meditating. A few lines contain the history of the world. He closes his eyes and before his mind appears in review the facts which led Christianity to victory after so many centuries of bloodshed. Footsteps awaken the Emperor. Constance and Licinius, with their arms interlocked, enter. Constantine sees and smiles. In the triumph of faith and justice, innocent love also has its victory.
- Drama about a young man blinded by love.
- Herodias, wife of Philip of Iturea, gives her affections to her husband's brother, Herod. Their secret passion is discovered by John the Baptist. He denounces them, but, so great is his power in the land, that none dare silence him. Succumbing to the temptation of Herodias, Herod betrays his brother and casts him into the Prison of Bronze, where he is left to languish. Herodias now plots to rid herself of her husband, and she finally prevails upon a negro servant to go to the Prison of Bronze and strangle him. When Philip is dead, his brother Herod is proclaimed, 'midst great pomp, Tetrarch in his stead. For a time he rules wisely, but can never drive away the pangs of conscience that are his constant companions. Herodias next prevails upon Herod to seize and imprison John the Baptist, who is obtaining a strong hold over the people. Weakly Herod fulfills her wish, and the prophet is cast into the Prison of Bronze. St. John is beloved by Salome, the daughter of Herodias, but he spurns her affection. In vain does she visit him in the Prison of Bronze, and attempts to lure him into her power. Herod becomes possessed of an insurmountable desire to see Salome dance. This desire is discerned by the watchful Herodias and promptly frustrated. The populace begin to demand the release of John the Baptist, and fear possesses Herodias lest he should be liberated and again denounce her to the people. The visit to Herod of the Roman judges is an occasion for much feasting and merrymaking. It is at a feast given in honor of his guests that Herod requests Salome to dance. She refuses, but Herod maintains his entreaties, and finally says that he will give her anything she cares to ask for it she will dance. Salome is puzzled what to accept, but her mother creeps to her side, and, like the evil serpent, suggests that she shall ask for the head of John the Baptist. Spurned affection turns to hate of a like intensity, and Salome sees in this her chance to avenge the affront offered her by St. John. She asks tor his head. Herod regrets his rash promise, but his regrets are soon charmed away by the witchery of the dancer. When Salome has finished dancing the head is brought to her. The sight of this strikes terror to the heart of Herod, and he sees his guests shrinking from him in disgust. Too late, he seeks to repair the evil done by commanding his soldiers to seize Salome and put her to death.
- After a harsh childhood, orphan Jane Eyre is hired by Edward Rochester, the brooding lord of a mysterious manor house, to care for his young daughter.
- At Domremy, a town situated close to the river Meuse, little Joan, the daughter of Jacques d'Arc, heard the tales of the war which was then devastating her country. Mercenary troops of the Duke of Armagnor fought in defense of King Charles VII. They were opposed by the soldiers of the Duke of Burgundy, allied with the English. Devastation and pillage followed in their wake. The peasantry passed their days in wretchedness and terror, hanging round the castles imploring aid and assistance. It was a constant din of battle, galloping horses and the clash of arms. All houses were solidly barred. Joan lived thus in the midst of trouble and anxiety. At times the sound of distinct and melodious bells reached her ears when tending her sheep and cattle in the meadows. She knelt for hours, listening to those mysterious and sweet sounds. One evening she heard a voice calling her in the sweetest tone imaginable. The maiden knelt; a great flood of light dazzled her. St. Michael was standing before the bewildered girl and spoke to her. His words sounded like music to her ear, "Beloved Joan, hearken to the duty that lies before thee. Go to Lord Baudricourt and then to the King. Ask for arms and soldiers, and fight the enemies of France." Some days later, St. Margaret and St. Catharine appeared to Joan and confirmed St. Michael's order, encouraging her and recommending, at the same time, virtue and resolution. Joan was now firmly assured of her mission. The Lord of Baudricourt receives Joan's supplication with derision. "I do not believe a word of all this," says he to Joan's uncle, who has accompanied her, "She is dismissed." Bertrand de Poulangy, a young man secretly in love with Joan, entreats her not to despair. He accompanies her on a second visit to the Lord of Vaucouleur and she finally succeeds. Baudricourt consents to furnish Joan with a small body of knights who will accompany her to the King. Joan, accompanied by Bertrand, puts on a coat of mail, girds her sword and mounting her steed rides at the head of her squires to the castle of Chinon, the actual residence of the King. More than three hundred barons and feudal lords of the realm were then assembled at the King's Court. Desirous of judging for himself whether Joan's mission was really inspired, the King disguises as a courtier, among whom he mixes. Joan enters amid the assemblage. Her rustic beauty causes quite a flutter; the ladies whisper, the knights admire her. Without the least hesitation, she walks straight up to the King, before whom she kneels and says, "Kindly Dauphin, I am Joan the Virgin, from Domremy. The King of Heaven has sent me to say that through my humble offices you will truly become King of France." Joan not only convinces the King of her heavenly mission, but also the King's councilors, all learned prelates, who ply her with numerous and intricate questions. The brilliant career of the Virgin Warrior has begun. At the head of ten thousand men Joan starts for Orleans. The French array was defending the city heroically, but has been reduced to extremities through lack of provisions. Joan crosses the Loire, gives battle, and on the evening of May 1, 1429, the glorious Virgin makes a triumphant entry into the beleaguered city. The next day she discusses with Dunois, commander of the city and the officers of the garrison, her plan of defense and studies the position of the enemy. Anxious and filled with pity for the many lives which must necessarily be lost through warfare, Joan shoots a missive into the English camp. She implores the Englishmen in the name of Heaven not to shed blood ruthlessly, but to raise the siege and depart in peace. This message is received with jeers and taunts, which affect Joan to tears. For fourteen hours the battle raged. One after the other the strong towers on the bridge were taken, and finally the English were forced to raise the siege. Joan, following up her advantage, pursues the flying horde and completely routs the English at the battle of Patay. Talbot was taken prisoner. Night falls on the field of battle. The heroic maiden helps the wounded. The tidings of Joan's magnificent victory stirs the Court and the vacillating King. Joan is received with unusual honors and succeeds in persuading Charles to go to Rheims, there to be crowned King of France in the sacred cathedral of that ancient city. The imposing pageant of the Dauphin Charles' triumphal procession, led by Joan holding aloft her standard, fills the population with enthusiasm and joy. As Joan proceeds, women and girls kiss the hem of her mantle; her path is strewn with roses. On July 11, 1429, the Dauphin Charles is duly crowned King of France, and thus it came to pass that the second part of Joan's mission was fulfilled. Joan is on the eve of returning to her native home when renewed activities of the English convince her that her task is not yet completed and cannot be until she has driven them all from French soil. However, the King's inborn pusillanimity, fostered by the envy, malice and hatred of both the Court and the Clergy, causes him to take an unwise and undignified course. He commands Joan to lay down her arms and retire in one of the royal residences. With intense sorrow, Joan places her sword and spurs and armor on the altar of Saint Denis. Many of her companions and soldiers are in tears. The people hold her in veneration and accompany her, singing hymns and acclaiming her frantically. Mothers bring their sick children to her; she blesses and restores them to health. Joan frets over her inactivity; the Duke of Burgundy's troops are still active and Joan longs to go out and meet them. One morning she starts at the head of her army and leads it under the walls of Paris. Despite the fact that she has been wounded, she again leads her forces to the attack, but is again repulsed. Finally she retires to Compiegne, when, falling into a trap, she is taken prisoner by John of Luxembourg. Joan's star is fading. She is kept a prisoner; her faithful Bertrand succeeds in reaching her in prison and endeavors to make a way for her escape. Joan of Arc heeds not the divine "voices" that remonstrate with her. In her rash attempt she falls on the rocks at the foot of the tower where she was imprisoned and is once more a captive. John of Luxembourg, greatly terrified, the effect of a demoralizing dream, delivers Joan into the hands of the English for the paltry sum of $10,000. Joan is accused of witchcraft. In her prison she is subjected to the insults of her guards and noblemen. Her confessor, the priest Loyseleur, betrays her. She is taken before the inquisition tribunal, which cross-examines her severely. Her replies to the subtle questions of the judges are dignified. The tribunal is confused, but inexorable. Joan is condemned to death by fire. Joan, dressed in white, is led to her doom. Loyseleur, the groveling monk, implores her forgiveness for his treachery. Bertrand, her faithful attendant, showers roses to her as a last tribute of love and respect. She ascends to the scaffold and is tied to the stake. She asks for a cross, which is given to her and which she kisses, praying at the same time for her enemies and invoking the saints. The flames surround Joan; her head droops, her lips faintly murmur the name of the Crucified and her noble and immortal soul appears to be home up to heaven by heavenly messengers. Even her enemies wept and were heard to say, "We have burned a saint."
- Two sculptors contend for the same woman, until one the two, mad with jealousy, murders the other and hides the corpse inside one of his sculptures.
- No obstacles can stand in the way of Rosalie's love for the artist Corrado. Despite her family's opposition, particularly that of her brother. Rosalie weds the man she loves. Their days are one long poem of love and happiness. They are further blessed by the birth of their daughter, Ada. Corrado works steadily. Alonzo, who resents the insulting intrusion of the stranger in their family, decides to snatch Rosalie and Ada from the hands of the hated brother-in-law, but Corrado, warned by the old man-servant, who had previously aided Rosalie in her flight, stays at home to await developments. Alonzo soon shows himself angered and insulting. The artist contains himself, but his violent nature cannot long endure that torrent of threats and abuse; the fight in the dark is as sudden as it is terrible. Suddenly, Corrado draws back terrified; he has killed his enemy. He runs away like a madman, his face congested and his hands stained with blood; he falls in the hands of gendarmes, who arrest him. Unable to defend himself, he is condemned to imprisonment for life. Rosalie is reduced to the most abject misery, and unable to buy the remedies so necessary to her sick child. Dr. Palmieri, a good and generous man, comes to her assistance and requests her to share his home. Ada will grow in his house, and he will thus fancy that he has found again his daughter Emma. Palmieri shall be her father and Rosalie will give up her sacred name of mother, so that Ada may always ignore her father's unhappy fate. Corrado wears out his years in prison, tired both in spirit and body. One day he has visions of his happy days, and his heart is rent asunder. He has now but one object in view, escape. He succeeds. Ragged and famished, he wanders through forest, plains, byways, ever sustained by the thought of his wife and daughter. Disguised in clothes kindly given to him by a peasant, he arrives in his native land. Deeply moved, he kneels at the threshold of the village church and prays; he, who has never prayed. He enters the presbytery, where he is greeted by the priest and one of his former friends. He learns with intense delight that his wife and daughter live in the village; Ada is in that house yonder. Corrado calls on the doctor. Greatly troubled and frightened, Rosalie finds herself in the presence of her child's father. What is going to happen? Rosalie implores Corrado to keep silent, but the latter has seen his "beautiful little one" who believes herself to be the doctor's daughter. He has seen his Ada; he wants her. The doctor, a human and loving being, endeavors to dissuade Corrado from his designs, points out to him that he is "civilly dead." He has escaped from prison; he is being sought for. What about his daughter? Nothing can move Corrado, not even Rosalie's painful confession of the sacrifice she has made. Corrado must have his Ada, "Very well!" exclaims Palmieri, "your daughter shall learn and decide." Frightened and trembling upon hearing that revelation, Ada seeks a refuge in the arms of the one she has always believed to be her father and whom she so tenderly loves. No, that man cannot be her father. Everything is ended for Corrado. His heart, deprived of its life-giving element, scarcely beats. He understands that a supreme sacrifice is necessary ineluctable, and while Ada, who has drawn nigh, prays for him, he fondly kisses her hair and swallows a poisonous pellet. The end is nigh; his life is ebbing away, he smiles. Uniting Rosalie's and the doctor's hands above the innocent girl's head, he murmurs, ''Love one another; be happy and watch over her." He dies in peace. His daughter has called him "Father, my father!"