The New Commandment plot
"She, rare flower of the Paris night life. He, overnourished with millions, under-nourished for the test that was to make or break him."
Affluent Billy sails with his father William Morrow on their yacht to Europe. Also on board are Mrs. Parr and her stepdaughter. Near the French coast, Billy learns that Mrs. Parr wants to arrange a marriage between him and her stepdaughter. Billy therefore flees with the lifeboat and goes ashore. Billy reaches Paris where he meets the young American Renee Darcourt. She temporarily works as a model for the artist Picard. Billy and Renee fall in love but he suspects she is having an affair with Picard. He then volunteers as a soldier when the First World War breaks out.