Pete Brevardo has a reputation as a portrait painter. On the street he encounters an elderly maiden lady, Belle Ritter, and her aristocratic face impresses him powerfully, so much so that he thinks that if opportunity occurred he could make a masterpiece. The opportunity came quickly for the lady visits his studio, desiring that Pete shall paint her picture. The work is a joy to the artist and he carefully hides the painting until finished, when he will exhibit it on visitors’ day at his studio. Preparing for the exhibition, Mary, the stupid old housecleaner, disarranges the several paintings and in place of Miss Ritter’s portrait she places another. When Pete with much pride and acclaim unveils the supposed masterpiece, Miss Ritter and the visitors discover a scrawny old maid nursing a cat. There is a panic, the guests scream and disperse in disorder. Belle faints and is finally taken home by her ward, Rita. Pete, however, hastens to the house with the work of art, and in short order there are signs of wedding bells.