The lives of two young men-- A virtuous artist who's renounced a background of riches and a debonair swindler proclaimed by many the King of Paris-- intersect when the artist's mother becomes the target of the kingly charlatan.

After the death of her father, young Irina becomes the sole support of the family, as her mother is seriously ill and her little sister is still too young. One day during a walk she meets the artist Vladimir and falls in love with him. The two begin to date. Vladimir, having fallen in love with Irina, wants to get rid of his connection with a married woman Elena. Elena's husband has been watching the lovers for a long time and the farewell date of Vladimir and Elena serves as an excuse for him to challenge his rival to a duel. During the duel Vladimir dies. Having learned about the death of her beloved, Irina dies of a heart attack. Her mother, left all alone, mourns her daughter's death bitterly.