Camilla, a middle-aged Venetian widow, arrives in Rome to take up service as a maid for the Rossetti family, who are not prosperous. With her discreet presence, she is an element of cohesion for them thru tensions and misfortunes.

A range war between cattlemen and farmers comes to a head with the arrival of a Deputy Marshal and "Mule" a famous gunfighter in the town of Houstonville, Texas.

Wrongly accused of his wife's death, a marine officer is forced to resign and sees his life fall apart.