Plot
Princess Fedora (Pola Negri) arrives at the castle of General Stroganoff (Lawrence Grant), where she is to be reunited with her childhood fiancé, Vladimir Stroganoff (Paul Lukas), the general’s son. A ball is held in her honor, but Vladimir is mysteriously summoned away during the festivities. He is later found shot to death in a deserted house. Grief-stricken and enraged, Fedora and the general vow vengeance, convinced that Nihilists are responsible for the murder.
Suspicion falls upon Loris Ipanoff (Norman Kerry), a former officer believed to be aligned with the Nihilist cause. He hastily flees Russia for Paris, and Fedora follows him there, determined to uncover proof of his guilt and avenge Vladimir's death.
In Paris, Fedora encounters a charming stranger at a society event. They fall in love—only for her to discover that the man is none other than Loris Ipanoff. As she gets to know him, her certainty about his guilt begins to waver. He is kind, thoughtful, and sincere, and Fedora finds herself unable to resist her feelings. She conceals her true identity and agrees to return to Russia with him. But just before they depart, Loris reveals that he cannot go back—because he has killed a man.
Tormented, Fedora drafts a telegram to the general exposing Loris’ identity, but she cannot bring herself to send it. The general's aide, Gretch Milner (Otto Matieson), who has been helping Fedora, discovers the unsent telegram and, acting on his own, sends it. He also plots Loris’s assassination.
That night, Loris fully confesses the truth to Fedora: Vladimir had dishonored his sister (Mirra Rayo), and refused to face him in a duel. Instead, Vladimir attempted to shoot Loris in the back, and Loris killed him in self-defense. Fedora, shattered by the revelation, realizes the terrible mistake she has made.
To protect Loris, Fedora keeps him at her side through the night, preventing the planned assassination. But the telegram has already reached General Stroganoff, who orders the arrest and exile of the entire Ipanoff family to Siberia. Loris’ brother (Jack Luden) is killed resisting arrest. His mother (Martha Franklin) and sister are taken away.
When Loris learns of his family’s fate, he believes Fedora betrayed him. Despite her desperate pleas and explanations, he rejects her. Knowing their love can never be mended under the weight of such sorrow and loss, Fedora takes poison.
Too late, Loris realizes the depth of Fedora’s love and the price she paid. He returns to her side, only to cradle her in his arms as she dies.
