On a transatlantic liner returning to New York from Paris, Hector Jackson has met the mysterious Helen, and the two have fallen in love. Hector is returning to America to run for President in the fall election. Helen agrees to continue the affair in New York. Hector exits. Ajax Marion, the corrupt industrialist who is backing Hector's campaign, enters and asks Helen if she has been successful in winning Hector's affections so that he might better control him. Helen admits that she is in love.