It is in a city in Italy where real music can be found a-plenty. Stephano and Enrico, purveyors of statuettes, are alone. The delicate, entrancing strains of music are wafted to their ears. They are charmed. Enrico picks up his guitar, and accompanies the voice. A toast is drunk to the unseen possessor of the voice, and together they marvel at its clarity. Stephano, by employing a code of raps on the wall, gets into communication with Dolce, the owner of the wonderful voice. Enrico, who had left with a supply of casts, returns immediately and finds Stephano in the act of attracting Dolce's attention. He laughingly suggests a friendly contest for her hand. Stephano is angry at the intrusion, as the men are passing Dolce's dwelling, there is a cry of "fire" heard above the fainter cry of Dolce, imploring someone to save her canary. Into the burning house rushes Enrico, returning presently with the bird unsinged. In the hospital, where Enrico is taken as a result of the burns received, Dolce meets his proposal of marriage with an affirmative answer. Stephano is persuaded to remain in Enrico's house, only after he has shown his reluctance to do so. His jealousy prompts Stephano to write a letter to Enrico, purporting to be from his uncle in America. Asking him to go to America at once. Enrico kisses his wife goodbye and leaves Stephano to care for her. In America. Enrico gets a job and subsequently is discovered as a singer of no mean ability. Success follows success, and soon he is hailed as a great artist. His first letter and remittance to Dolce are forwarded to her, but Stephano, realizing that his chance of winning her will be lessened by the reception of affectionate letters from Enrico, withholds subsequent letters from her. He refuses to support Dolce properly, and she and her child soon become impoverished. Stephano writes to Enrico of Dolce's death, and also misinforms Dolce of Enrico's demise. Both Dolce and Enrico are heartbroken at the news. Still Dolce has a peculiar loathing for Stephano, who continues to maltreat her. In order to get money, Dolce becomes a singer at a cabaret, but grief has destroyed her voice. It is while Dolce's daughter is singing there, that Enrico, celebrating his great success by touring Europe, hears a familiar song. He asks the child her name and the child points to Dolce, who is begging in another section of the restaurant. After husband and wife have been reunited, Enrico seeks out Stephano, who is seated in the same restaurant, and after a stiletto battle, slays the betrayer of his trust and friendship.