Linda dreams of a life of adventure, while Fanny is more concerned with stability after being abandoned by her mother. When a glamorous local aristocrat invites a charming stranger to a ball, Linda is instantly smitten, but Fanny's disapproval threatens to tear the inseparable friends apart.

Fanny's put out to find that Linda has once again fallen head over heels in love, and is openly living as Fabrice de Sauveterre's mistress.