The Hulot family has risen to eminence under Napoleon I. The Baroness Hulot's cousin, Bette, is the only member of the family who has not shared in their good fortune.

Unknown to Bette, Hortense has successfully engineered a meeting with Steinbock.

Bette and Valerie have established themselves in the house Hector has provided for Valerie.

Montes, Crevel, Hector and Steinbock all believe themselves to be the father of Valerie's child.

Hector is faced with ruin and has been spirited away by Bette. However, Bette's plans have suffered' their first setback through the death of the Marshal just before she was to marry him.