 In the slums of São Paulo in the 30 s, Carmen (Carmem Violeta) is a young woman abused by her stepfather (Humberto Mauro). She leaves her home and finds that her boyfriend Milton (Milton Marinho) is married. While looking for a job, she faints on the street and is helped by the writer Flávio (Celso Montenegro). She moves to his house and maritally lives with him. Flávio becomes shared between the love for Carmen, the desire for his former fiancée and the passion and self-interest for a wealthy young daughter of a powerful judge.