 The shy and inexperienced lawyer Frémissin defends M. Garadoux, who is charged with having ill-treated his wife. Frémissin fails miserably, whereupon Garadoux is sentenced to prison. Two years pass. Frémissin falls in love with the beautiful Cécile and tries to win her over. Meanwhile, Garadoux now a widower and released from prison asks Cécile s father, M. Thibaudier, for Cécile s hand against her will ...