School for Wives (1925)

Betty and Howard Lynch, the children of a ruthless New York millionaire, are reared in a life of ease and irresponsibility. Richard Keith, a poor British artist, is hired by Betty's father to paint her portrait, and she and Richard fall in love. Richard, however, refuses to share in her father's fortune and prepares to return to London. Betty arranges passage on the same ship, and they are married on the high seas. They settle down in respectable poverty, and Betty has a child. Howard Lynch is shot and killed by the daughter of a man who was crippled in one of the elder Lynch's factories. Betty's child becomes ill and needs an operation that Richard cannot afford. Her father advances her the money, but the price of the operation is her divorce from Richard. Richard becomes entangled with Lady Atherton, whom he does not love. Betty secretly returns to England, determined to live moderately. Her father dies, and she inherits his fortune--only to give it all to charity. She and Richard are later reunited.