After years of touring abroad with his "Cirque Hollandais", Hendrik van Dalen returns to Holland, hoping that his brother will lend him financial support. Since the death of his wife, things have gone from bad to worse with Hendrik, who drowns his sorrow in drink. Moreover, he has set his heart on the circus-equestrienne, who pretends to love him but is having an affair with the company's wrestler. By encouraging Hendrik to drink, they hope to get their hands on his possessions. Hendrik's daughter sees through their designs and, with the aid of the clown Louisot, tries to foil their plans.

Boris wins a violin competition, and Countess Montjoie, an admirer, gives him an inherited Stradivarius on the condition that he comes to play for her regularly, as she does not have long to live. During one of those evenings, he meets Elsa, the daughter of the countess's handyman. They fall in love. One day, he leaves his mother to look after the violin, but when a fire breaks out, Boris has to go to extreme lengths to save the countess's violin. Fortunately, he manages to rescue the violin from the raging fire and is able to play a farewell serenade at the countess's deathbed.