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Mary Alden stands out as the powerful matriarch in this drama. Elderly Aunt Augusta (Alden) runs the great Ruyland Iron Works. Stock in the iron works is owned by the other members of the Ruyland clan, all of whom do Aunt Augusta's bidding. When she decides that Kenyon Ruyland (Eugene O'Brien) will be her successor, she also decrees that he marry Alberta Ruyland (Beatrice Burnham). Kenyon has already secretly wed Frederika (Virginia Valli), and he brings her home. The strong-willed Aunt Augusta meets her match in the young woman, and the only Ruyland who is willing to make friends with the interloper is Norval, who was born dumb (Marc McDermott). Frederika receives roses on a daily basis, and Aunt Augusta believes they are from an old admirer. So does Kenyon, and his suspicious nature compels his new wife to leave. Norval reveals that he was the one who sent the roses and commits suicide, leaving his stocks to her in his will. Frederika decides to turn the stock over to Aunt Augusta, when, combined with Kenyon's shares, will allow them to keep control of the works. Augusta refuses to accept them. She dashes off in her old carriage, and Frederika and Kenyon chase after her in their car. When they catch up with the old lady, she finally admits that she was wrong about Frederika and the two women embrace.