In Spite of All

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Carroll Clendenning, a man of the world, attends a performance of the "opera bouffe" and sees the radiant "Stella," the prima donna, with whom he is immediately infatuated. He meets her at a dinner in her honor, and is only one of the many admirers she has. There is a spirited rivalry between them. "Stella" worships only at the shrine of the god Gold, and in order to enjoy a top place on her list of eligibles, he buys her a diamond ring, significant of their prospective engagement. He is admiring her Aphroditic features when Blake, one of her victims, enters and warns him of the flame which has singed many a timorous moth. Carroll realizes that he is a fool, and throws her photograph to the floor. The next day he rides far into the country, trusting that a couple of days away from the debilitating urban conveniences will refresh both soul and body. He is ensconced at the home of the Knickerbockers in the country. He falls in love with Alice, a pretty and clever country girl. They are married and return to Carroll's city home. Jack, Alice's brother, visits the city and is introduced to "Stella," whom Carroll has eschewed since the episode with Blake. As others before him, Jack becomes infatuated with her. Alice finds it out and asks Carroll to prevent Jack from paying further attention to the actress. Carroll goes to see "Stella" and is captivated by her charms once more. He agrees to buy her a beautiful bracelet. The bracelet is delivered at his home and it falls into Alice's hands. She goes to the theatre posing as the delivery girl and from behind a screen sees her husband shower his affections upon "Stella." She returns home and is broken-hearted. "Stella" suspects that Alice is Carroll's wife and stricken by pity, goes to the Clandenning home and with the aid of De Granville, a gay old admirer of "Stella," she shows Carroll his folly. Carroll realizes his mistake for the second time, and in spite of all, Alice forgives him.