Princess Marie, ward of Duke D’Artier, has been betrothed to Prince De Conti, an Italian, and known as the vilest man in all Italy. The Princess refuses to marry the Prince, dresses as a peasant and obtains employment in the vineyards of France. She is saved from an attack by Jacques, overseer of the vineyards. Marie and Pierre Prue, whose sister is the Princess’s maid, and who assisted the Princess to escape from the castle, to save themselves from punishment, plan that Pierre shall say that Marie, in order to escape from Jacques, has drowned herself and Pierre offers the cap and apron of Marie as proof. Instead of Jacques believing the story, he accuses Pierre of drowning Marie and has him arrested and sent to prison. In the meantime the Duke and Prince have sent out retainers searching for Marie. The Prince issues the order that if Marie is not brought to him on or before their wedding day, the Duke shall pay with his head. Marie goes to court to free Pierre, but sooner than return to the castle and be compelled to marry the Prince, she drowns herself in the lake in the castle gardens, and her body is presented to the Prince on their wedding day.