Adriana Sereni (Lyda Baacova), the cast-off mistress of a rich landowner, Artesi (Mino Doro), lives in shame on his estate with her five-year-old illegitimate daughter. Enter a handsome stranger, Stefano Rella (Otello Toso), who lost his wife and daughter in the war and was a friend of Adriana's sweetheart. Love blossoms but before the happy ending Adriana almost loses her child and Artesi is murdered by a scheming servant. Director Capuano, evidently fearing some of the audience may be a bit slow, has a dog snarl every time the villain appears.