Ivan Mussak, the head of the Russian secret police, is responsible for the murders of thousands of Jews and the forced exile of thousands more. Isaac Gruenstein and his infant daughter Miriam are the only members of his family to survive one of Mussak's massacres, and Isaac is exiled to Siberia. Miriam, however, becomes Mussak's ward and is raised by nuns in a convent. Eighteen years later Isaac dies in Siberia, but before he does he writes a note to his daughter and gives it to fellow prisoner Rachel Shapiro, who manages to escape and, by chance, finds Miriam. However, circumstances have changed in the past 18 years--and Miriam is now Mussak's mistress.

An actress with a wild reputation finally settles down to a sedate and pleasant marriage. One of her former lovers, an architect, arrives to disrupt her happiness by renewing their affair. She humiliates this suitor in public with her rejection, and he seeks revenge, revenge that catapults her into tragedy.

Prior to the declaration of World War I, dancer Varda Deering was a member of the Austrian secret service, but later became a loyal citizen of the United States. In America, she captivates many men but cares for none of them until she meets Lieutenant John Long. At first, he regards Varda as little more than a social butterfly, but gradually comes to recognize her goodness and falls in love with her. While John is away on a war-related diplomatic mission, Varda agrees to aid the U.S. Secret Service in procuring classified documents from August Von Grossman, an agent whom she had known in Austria.

Ann Wesley, a wealthy society girl is loved by Bart Andrews. Andrews reproaches Ann for her frivolity and believes she has a better self hidden within her.