Celestine,thechambermaid,hasanewjobinthecountry,attheLanlaires.Shehasdecidedtouseherbeautytoseduceawealthyman.ButMrLanlaireisnotarightchoice:allthehouseisfirmlycontrolledbyMmeLanlaire,helpedbythestrangevaletJoseph.Thenshetriestheneighbour,ex-officerMauger.Thisseemstowork.ButsoonthesonoftheLanlairescomesback.Heisyoung,attractive,anddoesnotsharehismother'santi-republicansopinions.SoCelestine'sbeautyattractsCaptainMauger,youngGeorgesLanlaire,andalsoJoseph.Threemen,fromthreedifferentsocialclasses,withthreedifferentconceptionsoflife.WillCelestinebeabletoconvinceGeorgesofhersincerity?WillsinisterandinflexibleJosephlethisviewsuponCelestineberuined?Aquitedisillusioneddepictionofhumanity.