Sylvie de Rosiers enjoys the comforts of a lady in 1791 Saint-Domingue. After a violent rebellion begins the Haitian Revolution, Sylvie and her brother leave their family behind to flee unwittingly into another uprising in Paris. Sylvie becomes enamored with the aims of the Revolution, as well as with Maximilien Robespierre and his mistress, Cornelie Duplay. Robespierre sees an opportunity to exploit Sylvie as an example of his ideals, while Cornelie offers Sylvie safe harbor and guidance in free thought. When the Reign of Terror descends, Sylvie must decide whether to become an accomplice while a new empire rises on the bones of innocents or risk losing her head.