Ersilia Drei, after a suicide attempt recounts her vicissitudes: hired as governess to the daughter of Consul Grotti she is wooed by Franco but soon after seduced by the very consul who drives her away after his daughter loses her life due to Ersilia's distraction. Because of economic difficulties she falls lower and lower until she meets Ludovico with whom she can perhaps hope for sincere love again. The consul's return, however, will lead her toward a tragic ending.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Gabriele FerzettiLudovico Nota | Ludovico Nota |
 Eleonora Rossi DragoErsilia Drei | Ersilia Drei |
 Pierre BrasseurConsole Grotti | Console Grotti |
 Frank LatimoreFranco Laspiga | Franco Laspiga |
 Jacqueline PorelFidanzata di Ludovico | Fidanzata di Ludovico |
 Micheline FranceySignora Grotti | Signora Grotti |
| MManlio BusoniNot listed | Not listed |
| PPaolo FerraraNot listed | Not listed |
| LLuigi GambardellaNot listed | Not listed |
| PPina LentiNot listed | Not listed |
| JJacqueline MarbauxNot listed | Not listed |
| GGiulia PittalugaNot listed | Not listed |
| VValerio RuggeriNot listed | Not listed |
 Edda SoligoNot listed | Not listed |
| LLaura TorchioNot listed | Not listed |
 Aldo VascoNot listed | Not listed |
 Nino VingelliNot listed | Not listed |