Let's Try Again

Although dancer Nan Blake, who is recovering from a hip injury, declares her love for her English doctor, Jack Overton, Jack gently informs her that, even after ten years of marriage, he still loves his wife Alice. As soon as he leaves Nan, however, Jack dallies at his tailor and is late for a costume ball that Alice is especially anxious to attend. In addition, Jack forgets to pick up the flowers that Alice had ordered to adorn her costume, which happens to be the dress she wore when she and Jack eloped. Alice explodes with anger at Jack's thoughtlessness and goes to the party alone. After a few hours, however, she returns home and asks Jack his forgiveness, then is met in the garden by Paul Milburn, the fiancé of her niece, Marge Phelps. In the moonlight, Paul confesses to Alice that he loves her, and although they share a fleeting romantic moment, she rebuffs him, insisting that she still loves Jack. The next morning, Jack, anxious to be alone, lies about having a medical emergency to attend to and leaves Paul with Alice. Once again, Paul declares his love to Alice, and she once again denies him. When Jack then returns suddenly, admitting to his deception, Marge, who witnessed Paul and Alice's moonlight scene, angrily reveals to him Paul's feelings toward Alice. After Alice confirms Jack's suspicions that she no longer loves him, and he confesses that he feels indifferent toward her, the couple agrees to a separation. Jack then goes to Nan and pledges his love. Soon after, Jack returns to his home and finds that Alice is in love with both Paul and her new single life. As Jack is leaving, however, Paul drives up and tells him that circumstances are forcing him back to Marge and asks Jack to break the news to Alice. Instead, Jack tells Alice that, out of jealousy, he ordered Paul to leave. Furious, Alice rejects her husband's pronouncement of renewed love, which causes Jack to reveal the truth about Nan and about Paul's impending marriage to Marge. After storming away from his house, Jack telephones Nan and agrees to go to Europe with her. Later that evening, however, Nan shows up at the Overton home in search of Jack. A sad but brave Alice assures Nan that her marriage is over and that Jack will make their rendezvous. To Alice's surprise, Jack returns home once again and, unaware of Nan's visit, announces that he has been dumped. After a long discussion about their marriage and the nature of love and passion, the couple vows to "try again" and to build "something new" between them.