The Moral Fabric (1916)

Scott Winthrop is a wealthy, matter of fact businessman who cannot conceive an undeniable right in another man's attempt to break up his home because he has happened to take a fancy to his wife. But Amy Winthrop, a romantic young woman with more spare time than is good for her, takes up with the notions of a so-called liberal organization and is in the arms of its leader on her wedding anniversary when her husband comes home with a costly present for her. She stubbornly announces that Mackley Stuart is her "elective" mate and that they are going away together. Unable to dissuade her, the husband sends word to the newspapers that he is relinquishing his wife to Stuart at their request. The publicity that follows practically forces them to wed. Later, while touring Europe, Winthrop runs across the couple in a Naples café. He manifests great pleasure and greets them as old friends. He congratulates them on their happiness and fills his former wife's ears with the same kind of twaddle that had lost her to him. With pitiless cruelty he pursues his campaign and the result he seeks is not long in coming. Amy throws herself at his head and he apparently is content. Stuart, furious, now finds himself in the position in which he had placed Winthrop. The three discuss the situation. Amy repudiates her husband and offers to leave him to return to her first love. Winthrop leads her to believe that he will take her back and then spurns her. Thus he proves to them that the fabric of morality cannot be lightly destroyed and is satisfied that he has ruined their lives as they ruined his.