Wealthy miser Martin Stanley forces his family into desperate financial measures. His daughter Diana secretly works as an artist's model for Paul Howard, sparking jealousy from her sister Marjorie—who loves Paul—and fury from their mother. To sabotage Diana's relationship with her boyfriend Bobby, Paul maliciously alters the painting to look scandalous. Marjorie discovers the plot and attacks Paul, leaving him for dead. When Paul unexpectedly revives, murder charges are avoided, and Martin finally realizes the toxic cost of his cheapness, allowing the family to find peace and reconcile.