A man (M) and a lady (L) who are very much in love, and devoted to one another, are separated by a river with no way of getting across to the other side.

On L's side of the river, there is a boatman (B) who is able to take her over to the other side of the river but refuses to do so unless she pays him a price of $20, twice his normal fare. L has no money.

Some other man (S) then tells L that he will give her $50 if she sleeps with him. L agrees to do so and on receiving the $50, pays B who takes her over to the other side of the river. She is reunited with M and they are very happy together.

However, a friend of M (F) finds out what L did with S and immediately tells M. On learning the news, M finds L and ends things with her, stating that he wants nothing more to do with her.