Raymond Denis, a humble worker, has refused to acknowledge the child His girlfriend Rose gave birth to. As a result of his weak attitude, Rose, after leaving the baby in care, drowned herself in a canal. Raymond, accused of killing her, now appears before the court. He is defended by a successful attorney, Maître Claude Nogent. When the latter in his speech accuses the unfairness of society who drives the destitute to wrongdoing, the retort isn`t long in coming : the prosecutor lets the court know that Nogent`s line of defense is biased since his own father is unknown. Claude, whose mother had never told about it, is upset. However the move backfires : Raymond is acquitted and he decides to bring up his (and his dear Rose`s) child. As for Claude he will be able to marry Jacqueline, whose wealthy parents hitherto refused as a son-in-law;