SinistermusicmaestroSvengalicancontroltheactionsofwomenthroughhypnotismandhistelepathicpowers.Whenapupilhehasseducedannouncesshehasleftherhusbandforhim,heuseshispowerstocausehersuicideandpromptlyforgetsher.Hemeetsabeautifulmodel,Trilby,andbecomesinfatuatedwithher,butshe,inturn,fallsforayoungartistcalledBilleewhoalsolovesher.OnedaySvengalihypnotizesTrilbytocureherheadache,butalsoexaminesherupperpalateanddecidesitisanidealcavityforgreatsinging.Heconvinceshertofakehersuicide,soBilleeandfriendswillforgether,andgoesonasingingtourwithher.SvengaliuseshispowerstomakehersingwonderfullyandMadameSvengali,asTrilbyisnowknown,becomesasensationthroughoutEurope.ButBilleediscoverstheruseandbeginstofollowthepair,upsettingSvengalienoughtohavehimcancelperformancestoofrequently,sotheynolongercanperforminEurope.TheygotoEgypt,butBilleerelentlesslyfollows.