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In seventeenth century France, upon returning home from combat, Pierre St.  Laurent, a young nobleman, finds that his lands and chateau have been confiscated by Narbonne, the treacherous governor of the province, and sold to Katrina, a beautiful Dutch widow.  Katrina agrees to return Pierre’s property if he will help her recover the “Star of India,” a precious sapphire that Narbonne stole from the Dutch.

Pierre obtains an invitation to Narbonne’s castle while King Louis XIV is visiting, and by ingratiating himself with Mme.  de Montespan, a favorite of the king, discovers that Narbonne keeps the Star of India in the hilt of his sword.  Pierre then provokes Narbonne into challenging him to a duel, and after disarming Narbonne with his superior swordsmanship, Pierre extracts the jewel from the sword.

After escaping from the castle, Pierre is pursued by the king’s men, but manages to return the jewel to Katrina.  To protect Katrina from his pursuers, Pierre allows himself to be captured, but later escapes and joins Katrina on a ship bound for Holland.  Although Katrina deeds back the property as promised, Pierre, who has fallen in love with her, asks her to return to the chateau as his wife.

Before the ship can sail, Narbonne and his men catch up with them.  In the ensuing duel between Narbonne and Pierre, Narbonne is killed, thus allowing Pierre and Katrina to face a peaceful life together.