Clotilde, the wife of Adophne Dumesnil, has a lover, Lafont, who plagues her with his jealousy and spies upon her. She is sincerely fond of her husband and furthers his advancement by integrating herself with a Mme. Simpson who, though her reputation is dubious, has considerable influence. Dumesnil and Lafont are also on excellent terms, and one may infer that the husband is ignorant of the wife's infidelity. Clotilde, however, acquires a new lover, scarcely more than a boy - the loutish son of Mme. Simpson. He lacks ardour, and thier affair ends after barely four months, with his departure to the country. Lafont, whom Clotilde has sent away on a long tour, returns to his old position in the household.