In this romantic melodrama, Lucille (Catherine Deneuve) is a young woman who takes comfort in the arms of her older wealthy lover Charles (Michel Piccoli). She meets a young man, Antoine (Roger van Hool) who is involved with an icy socialite (Irène Tunc). Lucille and Antoine become lovers and the former leaves Charles to move in with the young man. For a while, the two are content to live on love, but eventually Antoine urges Lucille to seek employment. It isn't long before she is bored with the working life as she contemplates a return to her old boyfriend. Lucille is torn between the passion of her young lover and the creature and material comforts that money can provide as she determines she must choose between the two men.