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The trials and tribulations of heroine Diane (Blanche Sweet) begin when she's seduced by a far-from-noble nobleman, the Duke of Cluny (Edward Mackaye). Feeling herself "tainted," Diane decides to shun all men. But a handsome American naval officer, Lt. Dodd (Carlyle Blackwell), cares not a whit about Diane's "shameful" past. In fact, he sees to it that the Duke will never again deflower an unwitting female by shooting the man in a duel. Understandably impressed, Diane agrees to marry the dashing Dodd. Adapted by William C. DeMille from a play by Channing Pollock, The Secret Garden was directed by Frank Reicher, better known today for such film character roles as Captain Engelhorn in King Kong.