Yvonne, proprietor of a Paris gown shop, marries Pierre, a poor artist, concealing from him an affair she had with Rigaud, an elderly boulevardier who bought the shop for her. Encountering financial difficulties, Yvonne goes to Rigaud for aid and finds him murdered. Pierre confesses to the murder, thereby exonerating Clément, an innocent man, suspected of killing Rigaud, whose sweetheart Rigaud wronged. Pierre submits to arrest, confident that he will get off with a light sentence.