The Flame of Love

Hai-Tang, star of the Chinese Troupe, and Boris Borissoff fall in love, despite the tension of court politics and social expectations. Their romance develops in a world where powerful figures threaten to pull them apart.

Yvette, the Colonel's mistress and a star at the Orpheum, reminds Boris of how she helped secure his appointment and warns him to keep away from Hai-Tang. She cautions him to maintain decency and hints at career damage if he ignores her.

During the Grand Duke's farewell banquet, the Chinese Troupe performs and Hai-Tang sings and dances. The Grand Duke's lust for her becomes the backdrop for a coercive demand that follows.

Boris is ordered to ensure Hai-Tang dines with the Grand Duke at 1 a.m. He accepts the assignment, fully aware it will thrust Hai-Tang into danger and test their loyalties.

Hai-Tang reluctantly agrees to go to the Orpheum to fulfil the order, recognizing that Boris’s disobedience would risk both their futures. She understands the peril of the position but sacrifices her own comfort for her people.

At the Grand Duke’s door, the Grand Duke assaults Hai-Tang in a drunken frenzy while Boris keeps guard outside. Wang-Hu intervenes by drawing his weapon, shooting and wounding the Grand Duke as a protective act.

The following day, Wang-Hu is sentenced to death. Boris pleads for mercy, but the Grand Duke signs the death warrant, set to take effect at dawn.

Boris persuades his officer friend Theodore Alexandroff to arrange a last-minute escape for Wang-Hu. However, Theodore is reassigned at short notice, and the plan cannot proceed.

Hai-Tang goes to the Grand Duke to plead for Wang-Hu's life and, in desperation, offers herself in his stead. The Grand Duke agrees and signs a reprieve to be sent to the Colonel.

Boris arrives at the Grand Duke's apartment seeking Hai-Tang. She pleads with the Grand Duke not to let Boris see her, but the Grand Duke asserts control and possesses Hai-Tang.

The Colonel lies in drunken sleep as his orderly hands the pardon to Yvette, who refuses to wake him to read it. The Colonel awakens too late to avert the execution, and Wang-Hu is saved by the reprieve.

Hai-Tang returns to her home with her honour shattered. Boris, unaware of her sacrifice, believes he saved her brother; she thanks him, declares her love, and dies after ingesting poison.