La Rançon du Bonheur (1912)

The bright junior lieutenant Jacques Mareuil, son of an admiral, is stationed in one of our great military ports, and is neighbors with the young Suzie Darvel, who has opted for a career as an opera singer. Having a great knowledge of music himself, the navy officer, who finds the girl’s voice quite interesting, writes her a melody, making it a gift to her. That same day, he receives orders to set sail, putting an end to the beautiful love story which had just begun. Three years later, junior lieutenant Jacques Mareuil returns to Paris. While attending a performance of Carmen, he recognizes the interpreter of the Bizet character as his lovely neighbor from the past. Jacques Mareuil falls in love with the great singer and wants to marry her. His father is however categorically opposed to the decision, and with the aid of one his colleagues at the Naval Department, he obtains an immediate departure to Indochina for Jacques.