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Lest exhibitors didn't think the source material's title (based on a novel by then-popular writer Kathleen Norris) was particularly exciting, Warner Brothers offered the alternative title, "Flaming Passion," to this Jack Conway melodrama. In the belief that his noble title will lead her to a glamorous life, Lucretia (Irene Rich) marries Sir Allen Lombard (Marc MacDermott). Her hopes are dashed however, when she discovers he leads a dissolute lifestyle. Because of his decadent ways, Lombard eventually finds himself confined to a wheelchair and becomes a drug addict. He tricks Lucretia into giving him an overdose, which kills him. She is accused of murder, but the district attorney, Stephen Winship (Monte Blue), absolves her from any blame. He falls in love with her, but he has just become engaged to Mimi (Norma Shearer), a ward of his father (Alec B. Francis). He goes ahead with the marriage only because he believes that Lucretia does not love him. The truth is that she has gone off with his brother Fred (John Roche) to help him with a problem. A forest fire breaks out and Lucretia tries to save Mimi, only to be stuck on a bridge that is washed away by a bursting dam. Winship saves both of them, but Mimi dies from her injuries. With her death, Winship and Lucretia are free to be together.