The orchestra musician Peter does not sufficiently pay attention to his young wife Gaby. When Gaby gets to know a childhood friend of Peter's, Michael, she falls in love with the violin virtuoso, but also suffers from pangs of conscience because of it. On the one hand, she doesn't believe in the marriage having any kind of future; but on the other, she doesn't want to leave the security of married life. When Peter one day falls terribly ill, she dedicates herself heart and soul to her spouse. Yet, her love for Michael is stronger. Despairing and having no belief that there's a way out of her dilemma, she embarks on a terrible decision.

Elisabeth Bergners letzter deutscher Film vor ihrer Emigration nach England: Die junge Gaby ist hin- und hergerissen zwischen ihrem Mann, dem Orchestermusiker Peter, und dessen Jugendfreund, dem Geigenvirtuosen Michael. Als Peter schwer erkrankt, versucht Gaby, ihre Liebe zu Michael zu vergessen. Vergeblich. Aus ihrem Zwiespalt sieht sie keinen anderen Ausweg als den Tod. Am Ufer der Seine findet man ihren Mantel und einen Abschiedsbrief.