The Magic Veil; or, the Love of a Hindoo

Summary

Irma Vallon, an adventuress entices the high minister of the cabinet, Dauban, to fall in love with her, only to bring about his downfall as the accomplice of Leuvor, his enemy in the cabinet, who promises to pay her a large sum of money if he is successful. Her Hindoo servant, Ali, falls a victim to her charms. At her feet he confesses his love for her. She dismisses him immediately, adding an enemy to her list. Her co-partner in crime starts a sensational rumor in the newspapers of a notorious actress who has indebted herself to a large sum of money as guarantee to a note that she has issued to a high minister of the cabinet. Dauban signs his name. At the point of destroying herself, her victim is pressed to do as she wishes. The ruination of Dauban successful; she leaves Paris and goes to Spain, in search of other victims. She goes under another name and lives as a wealthy widow. The Duke of Gervan, who spends leisure hours driving about in his motor car, has a mishap, and is obliged to beg for hospitality of the nearest house, which is that of the rich widow, Mrs. L Vernon. Her beauty and her ways seem to attract the duke's attention to such an extent as to invite her to a royal affair one week after the mishap to his motor car. At the ball in the palace, she feigns illness as an excuse to be alone with him. But her other victims are not dead. Dauban hears of her engagement and sends a message that he will expose her before her marriage as revenge for her sins dealt to him. Ali, her former servant now selling rugs for a living, is standing down in front of her home selling rugs to some of the peasants. She remembers his love, and sends for him, telling him to go to Paris, and get the letters from Dauban, making him rich if he succeeds. Ali the Hindoo, offers to go, but once away from her his mind is set for revenge. He goes to Paris to see Dauban, whose disgrace is now killing him. Ali gets him before his life is extinct, and begs on his knees and to the gods with oaths, that he win get revenge for two, if Dauban will give him the letters. Trusting the Hindoo, he gives them. Irma, in the meantime, takes no chances and begs the count to marry her before he leaves for the meeting of the high nobility at the king's palace. Irma, now married, waits tor Ali's return, and is satisfied that there can be no danger of being exposed. Ali calls to see the duke, hands the letters and the picture and leaves. He now sees that this adventuress has duped him. His mind set, he orders his things packed, and takes her to his ancestors' palace, where there is a dungeon which houses the magic veil that brings revenge to those who have been wronged by a woman.

Synopsis