Pierre Wersselin, a musician of foreign extraction, lives in Saint Germain-des-Près where he’s more given to idleness and enjoying nightlife than to composing his sonata. He supports his lifestyle by borrowing money from his friends. One July morning he receives a telegram informing him of the recent death of his rich aunt and, convinced he’s in for a windfall, he throws a party with the money of one of his friends. He soon finds out that his aunt has disinherited him in favour of his cousin. Pierre, who was counting on the money, now finds himself out on the street.