François Toledo, married businessman and father, falls head-over-heels in love with Janine, a work colleague. However, he is soon found out: after three dates, he strangles some prostitutes, when, the victim of blackmail, he becomes dishonored. He is taken to court, and sentenced to be killed by a guillotine.

18-year-old small town Aline arrives in Paris and is employed as house servant in Robert and Ulla Marbois' home. Robert takes a fancy towards Aline and they begin an affair.