Unity Blake, the "Ugly Duckling" of a London orphanage, plays at being a genteel lady, to the amusement of her fellow orphans.
	Unity is hired by the abusive Louise Risca to be her maid.
	Following a horrific beating by Louise in a fit of alcoholic rage, Unity nonetheless shows her spunky spirit when visited by John Risca, Louise's estranged husband.
	Stella Maris -- who, like Unity -- is in love with John -- visits John's home while he is away and meets Unity
	Following Stella's visit, Unity admires Stella's beauty in a framed picture that John keeps on his desk.
	Stella, long sheltered from the realities of the world during her childhood paralysis, is now disillusioned not only by poverty and suffering, but also by the revelation of John's marriage to Louise.
	Unity feels compassion for John as she sees his despair and helplessness in the face of his empty marriage that prevents his marrying Stella.
	Unity then learns that John is going sailing for a day and resolves to take his and Stella's unendurable situation into her own hands.
	Arriving at Louise's residence, Unity -- recalling her savage beating at Louise's hands -- has desperate plans.
	Stella and John, humbled by the sacrificial "great soul" of Unity, look forward to a life of happiness.

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