Bernard Sommet has killed his wife and her lover and he declares that was a crime of passion. Sylvie Foucot, his court-appointed attorney, not only believes him but falls in love with him. But the examination magistrate is not convinced. For his part, he leans towards premeditation. Whether Sommet premeditated his act or acted out of anger and jealousy will be up to the court to decide.
Paul has to leave his country home to collect his father's inheritance of a department store. A natural-born son, Paul's stepmother gives him a cold reception, and he's appalled by the behavior of his half-sister Dominique, an existentialist of the highest order. Paul's gumption restores the Galeries Parisiennes to its former glory, and he gives a farewell present to a more subdued Dominique. He returns to his village, arm in arm with the wise Marie-Louise, ex-saleswoman at the Grand Magasin.
Honoré, a valet, has an extremely logical mind and is unable to tell a lie. This comes in very fortunate for the family he works for.
