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From the Picture Show Souvenir of "The Night of Love"
The unveiling of Montero's gipsy bride who, abducted by the Duke de la Garda in accordance with old custom that gave the feudal lord the right to take a bride from her husband, stabbed herself. Her lifeless body was returned to Montero the next day. Years later, the incident forgotten, the Duke de la Garda (Montague Love) celebrated his marriage to Princess Marie (Vilma Banky), revolting her with his coarse behaviour and stirring the jealousy of his erstwhile favorite (Natalie Kingston).
The duke, who had entered into the marriage contract with the princess on account of her wealth, which he coveted, was agreeably surprised to find her beautiful as well, but was infuriated by her cold disdain, which she did not attempt to conceal from him. After the feast the duke and his bride retired to the bridal chamber, unaware that Montero, burning with revenge, was hidden behind the curtains. Calling his gipsy followers, Montero, after a fierce battle, carried off the duke and his duchess of a few hours.
In Montero's bandit stronghold in the mountains Princess Marie was unafraid and defiant in the face oh his vow to claim her as the duke had claimed his gipsy bride. The duke's cowardice rose to the surface of his blustering nature when he learnt Montero's intentions to brand him and set him free, but the princess was openly contemptuous. Despising the women of the duke's household, and classing the princess with them, Montero sought to frighten her into submission.
Not knowing that it was in the spirit of revenge that Montero, the gipsy bandit, had kidnapped her, and, despising him for his brutal treatment, the princess hid her fears under a mask of scorn. Montero was angered that her fairness should fascinate him in spite of his vow, and tauntingly he pledged her in a cup of wine. The beauty of the princess aroused in Montero only a fierce satisfaction that he was to revenge himself upon the duke. Montero, never suspecting that she would do so, challenged the princess to carry out her threat of leaping from the window to the jagged rocks far below, round which the sea washed.
By a lucky chance the princess was saved from death, and carefully nursed back to health by the bandit, whose love had been awakened by her courage. Steadfastly she refused to show any softening in her manner towards him. At length, steeling himself for the sacrifice, Montero determined to keep his love stainless and to return her to the duke, to whom she belonged by law. Upon the journey back to her hated husband the princess confessed that her heart had been taken prisoner by Montero, and for a few brief moments they tasted the pure bliss of their love.
The duke, bearing Montero's brand upon his face, received back the princess with great acclaim, but would not believe that no harm had befallen her during her captivity in the bandit's castle. To verify the jealous insinuations of his disgruntled favourite, the duke took the priest's place, thus hearing from the princess' confession of her love for Montero. Brought by a letter which he thought came from the princess, Montero boldly braved the sentinels of the duke's castle and discovered her in a loathsome dungeon, where the duke had cast her.
Their joy was short - lived. The letter was a forgery, and the lovers realised that they were trapped. After a desperate but unavailing struggle, Montero was at his enemy's mercy, but his bravery had enabled the princess to evade the duke's soldiers. Frenzied by the sight of her lover tied to the stake, faggots burning round him, the princess prayed for his life, a prayer granted most miraculously, for Montero was set free and the Duke met his death at the hands of the infuriated mob.
Released from her vows of bondage by the death of the duke, the princess and the brigand realised that at last happiness could be theirs. On his knees Montero told Princess Marie once again of his undying love - a love she was free to return. Vilma Banky and Ronald Colman are Hungarian and British respectively, and have played together in previous films, including "The Dark Angel" and "The Winning of Barbara Worth." They are now making "The Flower of Spain," a screen version of Baroness Orczy's novel "Leatherface." |
