Summary
At the twilight of his bachelorhood, the affluent Frank Powell finds his heart ensnared by the youthful Olive Meade, a connection that promises a late-blooming serenity. However, the delicate equilibrium of his world shatters when a visual misinterpretation leads him to believe Olive is romantically entangled with his own brother, Bert. This personal desolation is compounded by the discovery of a clandestine affair between Irene—the Governor’s neglected wife—and Rodney Foster, a parasitic socialite of the lowest moral caliber. After a violent physical confrontation fueled by Foster's insolence toward Irene, Frank learns of the pair's intent to elope. Driven by a rigid code of chivalry, he intervenes, only to find himself the primary suspect in Foster's sudden homicide. Bound by a self-imposed vow of silence to protect Irene’s reputation, Frank faces the gallows of public opinion and legal retribution. The narrative transforms into a high-stakes legal and moral labyrinth where the truth is buried beneath layers of misinterpreted loyalty, eventually unraveled by a servant's guilt and a desperate, fabricated alibi that reveals the true depth of Olive’s devotion.
Synopsis
Wealthy businessman Frank Powell falls in love late in life with Olive Meade, the sister of Governor Carroll Carson's wife Irene. One day Frank sees Olive embracing his younger brother Bert. As he leaves dejectedly, Frank discovers Irene, whose busy elderly husband neglects her, with society idler Rodney Foster. Later Rodney insults Irene and Frank knocks him down. After Frank overhears plans for Rodney and Irene to elope, he telephones Rodney to demand that they meet by 1:30 that night or else he will go to Rodney's place. When Frank arrives there at 2:05, he finds Irene and drives her home. After Rodney's body is found the next morning, Frank is arrested, but because he believes that Irene killed Foster, he remains silent. Olive tries to save Frank by saying he was in her bedroom at the time, but when Foster's valet confesses murdering Foster and framing Frank, Frank is freed and discovers that Olive loves him.
