Painter Gerardo Landi (Pierre Cressoy) and his wife Anna-Maria (Märta Torén) lead a happy life. But the young woman's health is getting progressively worse: she is paralyzed, bedridden in her room. Gerardo, desperate, starts to enjoy life again thanks to a friend, Elena (Gianna Maria Canale). Soon they are both in love with each other, and Gerardo feels only pity for his sick wife. Elena gives birth to a child. Against all odds, Anna-Maria is cured. When she discovers the truth, she leaves the house. Several years later, when Elena is killed in an accident, the wife will forgive Gerardo and accept to act as his daughter's mother.