 A notable error by Orczy comes when the climatic chapter ends at the grave of Abélard and Héloïse at Pere Lachaise cemetery; the cemetery was not founded until 1804, over ten years after the events of the story, and Abélard's and Héloïse's remains not moved there until 1817.The story starts in 1784, before the French revolution.Wealthy Paul Déroulède has offended the young Vicomte de Marny by speaking disrespectfully of his latest infatuation, Adèle de Monterchéri.