After the tragic death of her beloved husband from malaria, Helga Vanroh, a wealthy widow, travels restlessly around various Mediterranean countries. In the luxurious surroundings of a hotel in Monte Carlo, Mrs. Vanroh keeps to herself, until one evening she decides to visit the casino. There, a young man catches her curiosity and compassion. Sascha Lonay has lost another fortune at the roulette tables and is contemplating taking his own life. Mrs. Vanroh is able to dissuade him by offering him a hotel room, money to pay his debts and her love. They spend the night together. The next day, the couple travel to the mountains, where Sascha, overwhelmed by the beauty of life and her generosity, promises her to stop gambling and to take the next ship sailing from Marseille to look for an honest job. He begs her to accompany him to Marseille in the evening, but Mrs. Vanroh is too afraid of commitment. Alone again, she makes a final visit to the casino. Her efforts seem to have been in vain: Like a madman, Sascha has returned to the roulette tables.