Don Jose encourages the King in his infatuation for Maritana, a dancing girl, believing that when the Queen discovers the clandestine love affair, she, in revenge, will listen to his suit. It would aid his plans if Maritana is made a noble. Don Caesar de Bazan, a swashbuckling adventurer is under sentence of death for having violated the edict against dueling. Don Jose induces the doomed man to consent to marry Maritana. He then informs the girl that the adventurer is anxious to make her his wife, and that he will restore Don Caesar to position immediately after the ceremony. Unaware of the Prime Minister's duplicity, Maritana agrees to the marriage. Don Jose cunningly contrives to keep the doomed man in ignorance of his bride's identity by compelling Maritana to wear a veil during the ceremony. While this is taking place Lazarillo, whom Don Caesar had befriended, extracts the bullets from the guns belonging to the soldiers who are to be the groom's executioners. The marriage over, Maritana is whisked away to the home of the Marquis de Rotondo, one of the Prime Minister's tools, while Don Caesar is led out to be shot. By feigning death, the adventurer deceives the soldiers and eventually makes his escape. Arriving at the Marquis' palace, he confronts the amazed Don Jose and demands his bride. The Prime Minister endeavors to palm off the Marchioness de Rotondo, of unusual ugliness, as Maritana, but Don Caesar discovers the ruse. Fighting his way from the palace, the adventurer pursues the carriage which is taking Maritana to the Royal Hunting Lodge. The girl believes she is about to meet her husband. She discovers how she has been tricked when the King appears before her. Don Caesar enters in time to save his wife from her royal suitor's embraces. In the meantime, Don Jose has informed the Queen of the King's love affair. She immediately dispatches a note to the latter informing him that she knows all. The King departs from the lodge upon receiving the missive, but is compelled by unforeseen circumstances to return. In the meantime, Don Caesar and Maritana learn of Don Jose's treachery from each other's stories. The adventurer thereupon departs to enlist the aid of the Queen. Don Jose is staggered to find that the Queen, instead of turning to him for sympathy, indignantly repulses his advances. Losing his head, the Prime Minister seizes her in his arms and endeavors to embrace her. Don Caesar arrives at this moment and hastens to his Queen's defense. A terrific duel ensues, which ends when the Prime Minister is impaled upon the adventurer's sword. The fight over, Don Caesar returns to the hunting lodge where he again comes in time to save Maritana from the King's embraces. Confronting his ruler, the adventurer informs him of how his sword had fought in defense of the Queen's honor. The story fills the King with the realization of his own baseness and in reparation, he appoints Don Caesar Governor of Granada.