On his deathbed, Jules Leroy, a manufacturer of industrial shoe polish, confesses to his son Achille that their family’s wealth actually comes from an inheritance that was wrongfully taken 23 years ago. The rightful heir is Hyacinthe Camusset, an employee at their factory. Hyacinthe is also romantically involved with Lucienne Leroy, the family’s daughter, who is also admired by Jean Bernon, a young man who writes poetry for her. Unaware of the theft, Hyacinthe becomes the focus of the Leroy family’s attempts to win his favor. The family, along with Hyacinthe, Jean, and Lucienne, gather at the castle.