19th century Sardou period melodrama turned into a vehicle for diva star Lyda Borelli: an aristocratic French lady leaves her unfaithful husband and becomes involved with a member of Robespierre's revolutionary regime.

Born Fernando de Bulhões, he was a precocious Portuguese youth, concerned with the suffering of the poor. Grown into a contemplative young man he renounces the world to join first the Augustinian Order and then the Franciscans order (where he takes the name Anthony) in his dedicated service to the faith.

Lyda is a prostitute with no education and no hope for the future. Unfortunately, this ungrateful job leads her to have an unwanted pregnancy, and once born the child abandons her. Lyda becomes obsessed with the life of her only child.