Jules Leroy, an industrial shoe polish manufacturer, on his deathbed reveals to his son Achille that the family fortune originates from an inheritance stolen 23 years earlier. The one who should have inherited is one of the factory employees, Hyacinthe Camusset. The latter is also one of the lovers of Lucienne Leroy, the daughter of the family, who has a penchant for Jean Bernon, a boy who dedicates verses to her. Hyacinthe is unaware that he has been robbed but the Leroy family, who are not sure, try to woo him. The family, Hyacinthe, Jean and Lucienne meet at the castle.

Rémi sees his marriage troubled by a scandal caused by his former mistress. He takes refuge with his godmother while his wife organizes her revenge.