Helen Arthur, petted, spoiled and successful prima donna of the light opera stage, goes to a fishing village to gain color and atmosphere for a new operatic role. She boards at the cottage of a fisher maiden, Nettie Lea. Nettie is in love with a young sea captain, Rex Bristol. Rex falls in love with the prima donna, and rescues her from drowning. Rex's infatuation increasing, Nettie becomes jealous. Helen has come to the village incognita, and when Nettie learns that she is an actress, she turns her out of her cottage. Securing lodging at a nearby hotel, Helen, out of revenge, plans to complete her conquest of Rex. One day while out sailing with him, Helen sings the popular ballad, "The Isle of Love." Her conquest is complete. Rex seizes her in his arms and kisses her. Helen is indignant, then taunts Rex by saying she has been playing with him, acting, all the time. She returns to New York, leaving him a victim of despair. After a successful season in New York, Helen is preparing to start west on a tour. Among her admirers coming to her last performance in New York is John Leonard, a wealthy clubman and yachtsman. Rex is now captain of the yacht owned by Leonard, and goes with him to the theater. He is persuaded to bid Helen good-bye. Hurt at Helen's cruelty when they meet, he leaves her in highest indignation. The following day, as a farewell entertainment to the star, Leonard makes up a cruising party in Helen's honor. Because of an automobile accident, other members of the party fail to reach the boat. Leonard determines to run away with Helen, and orders Rex to take the yacht to sea. When Helen screams, Rex rescues her, but still cannot be convinced of the girl's innocence in her relations with Leonard. Rex is discharged, and is unable to get another ship. Following a nervous breakdown, Helen abandons her theatrical trip and a month or two later boards an ocean liner for a vacation in the Orient. On this same ship Rex is serving as wireless operator. When the vessel is burned, Rex rescues Helen. They reach an uninhabited island, and here again the flirt in Helen asserts herself. Rex, goaded on by her witchery, takes possession of the girl. He uses the authority vested in him as a sea captain, and performs his own marriage ceremony. Helen rebels against her husband's authority, and thinks she hates him. A child is born to them. When a schooner, stopping for Water at the island, offers to take her and her child back to civilization. Helen tells the captain that there is no one else on the island, and she and her baby leave for civilization. Rex is left alone, not knowing what became of his wife and child. Helen goes back to the stage. However, she comes to realize gradually that there is no sweetness in triumph now. The need of a father for her child also drags on her heart. Finally she makes a big resolve and returns to "The Isle of Love,'' where her husband welcomes both wife and child.