The King of Kurland suggests a marriage between his son, the crown prince, and Angela, the Princess of Arcacia, to defuse tensions between their tiny European countries. The tempestuous Angela rejects the idea, so the prince visits Arcacia in the guise of Count Bernardine, determined to secure the union. Unaware of his true mission, Angela grows to love the count, but finally heeds his warnings about impending war and agrees to the arranged marriage.