What Will People Say?
Summary
In a society where financial solvency often dictated romantic destiny, Persis Cabot, scion of a once-illustrious but now fiscally imperiled dynasty, finds her heart captivated by Harvey Forbes, a dashing officer recently returned from the Philippine theater. Their nascent affection, however, is brutally curtailed by the precipitous decline of the Cabot family fortune, rendering their union an economic impossibility. Bound by an unspoken, yet potent, filial duty to restore her father's standing and preserve her accustomed opulence, Persis enters into a marriage of convenience with Willie Enslee, a magnate whose vast wealth promises a return to gilded comfort. This transactional alliance, predictably, proves emotionally barren. A chance encounter with Forbes at a diplomatic reception rekindles their dormant passion, culminating in a mutual confession of enduring love. When Persis uncovers her husband's ongoing dalliance with a former paramour, she interprets this transgression as a moral carte blanche to pursue the affection Forbes so readily offers. Their first clandestine moment, however, is dramatically interrupted by a jealous Enslee, who, in a fit of rage, accuses Persis of infidelity. Forbes, demanding an unequivocal choice, is met with Persis's anguished refusal, prompting his despairing departure. Left alone, Enslee, consumed by a possessive fury, savagely stabs his wife. A prying reporter, piecing together fragments of information, erroneously implicates Forbes in the violent assault. Upon learning of Persis's grievous injury from the journalist, Forbes rushes back to the Enslee estate, asserting an immutable bond between them and declaring his intention to claim her, irrespective of her initial reluctance. Following the protracted legal machinations of divorce, Persis ultimately weds Harvey Forbes, their love finally surmounting the labyrinthine societal and personal obstacles that once seemed insurmountable.
Synopsis
Persis Cabot, daughter of a multi-millionaire meets a young officer, Harvey Forbes, coming from the Philippines and they fall in love. Owing to her father's financial reverses, it is impossible for her to marry Harvey Forbes. She contracts a marriage with Willie Enslee, whose immense fortune makes it possible for her to reinstate her father and give her all the luxuries she has been used to. The marriage is a failure. Persis meets Forbes at a reception given by the Ambassador and they both confess their love to each other. Persis discovers a liaison of her husband with a former mistress and decides that she has a right to take the love which Forbes offers her. On the first occasion of their being alone together, Willie Enslee discovers them and accuses Persis of infidelity. Forbes commands her to choose between them. Persis refuses, and Forbes leaves her in desperation. Left alone together Willie, maddened by jealousy, stabs his wife. A newspaper reporter visits the house and gains information which leads him to believe that Forbes is implicated in the attempted murder. He also visits Forbes and informs him of the fact that Persis has been stabbed by her husband. Forbes hurries back to the Enslee home and tells Persis that he will take her with him, even though she is not willing to go, as they are mated to each other. After the necessary divorce proceedings have been obtained, Persis marries Harvey Forbes.
