In trying to decide whom to marry--Rita Pring, the daughter of a South Seas ship captain, or Lady Helen Deene, an Englishwoman with wealth and influence--Burke Hammond consults Professor Jansen, a psychologist. Jansen induces in Burke a hypnotic trance in which he sees his future with each of the women. If he marries Helen, he will have fame, material comforts, and political power, but no love from his wife. If he marries Rita, his life will be humble but happy until Captain Pring's first mate, Jim McLeod, stirs up trouble and a shot is fired at Burke. Jansen cannot tell if the shot means death to Burke; nevertheless, Burke unhesitatingly chooses life with Rita.