Hilda, the eldest daughter of the Countess of Grenfell, is trying to prevent her sister Louise from selling herself to the Marquis of Wessels, to whom she is engaged to be betrothed. However, the Marquis bluntly says "No". Louise is a popular socialite, while her sister Hilda is misunderstood and shunned as a "villainess from a novel" because of her mannerisms and her eyes. Hilda declares to the Marquis that she will not marry him unless he overturns her reputation. Hilda declares to the Marquis, "I'll get rid of that nickname."