Octave Feuillet

After losing all his fortune, a man assumes his poverty with dignity, confidence and effort. He faces all adversities and his nobility and perseverance make him succeed and be happy with the woman he loves.

Rich wastrel Baron Chevrial fritters his days and nights away pursuing a series of young lovelies and playing with their affections. He is smitten with the charms of Rosa, dancer of the Opera Comique, but marries the prominent Therese Beauchamp while still remaining involved with Rosa. Eventually a new woman enters his life and for a time he is oblivious to everything else until Rosa reenters his sphere.

After the death of his indepted father, young Massimo has to accept a post as administrator for the estate of a wealthy family, the daughter of which he soon becomes infatuated with.

Massimo Odiot, Marquis of Champcey d'Hauterive, has inherited his father's high-sounding title and a sea of ​​debt. To earn a living and support his little sister at boarding school, he is forced to accept a job as administrator for a wealthy bourgeois family, the Laroques. In his new environment, the young man exerts a charm that is not lost on Marguerite, the beautiful and proud heir of the new masters. She falls in love with Massimo, but the Count of Bellavan, who wants to marry her to get his hands on her wealth, makes her believe that Massimo is cheating on her.

After losing all his fortune, a man assumes his poverty with dignity, confidence and effort. He faces all adversities and his nobility and perseverance make him succeed and be happy with the woman he loves.

Rich wastrel Baron Chevrial fritters his days and nights away pursuing a series of young lovelies and playing with their affections. He is smitten with the charms of Rosa, dancer of the Opera Comique, but marries the prominent Therese Beauchamp while still remaining involved with Rosa. Eventually a new woman enters his life and for a time he is oblivious to everything else until Rosa reenters his sphere.

After the death of his indepted father, young Massimo has to accept a post as administrator for the estate of a wealthy family, the daughter of which he soon becomes infatuated with.

Massimo Odiot, Marquis of Champcey d'Hauterive, has inherited his father's high-sounding title and a sea of ​​debt. To earn a living and support his little sister at boarding school, he is forced to accept a job as administrator for a wealthy bourgeois family, the Laroques. In his new environment, the young man exerts a charm that is not lost on Marguerite, the beautiful and proud heir of the new masters. She falls in love with Massimo, but the Count of Bellavan, who wants to marry her to get his hands on her wealth, makes her believe that Massimo is cheating on her.