Paris under the Second Empire. Count Muffat, is a puritan who has been highly honored by Napoleon III and leads an exemplary existence. But despite his prejudices, he falls madly in love with the pretty and piquant Nana singer-actress, whose main earnings stem from her numerous protectors. The most important of them is the banker Steiner. Nana who's at first flattered by the interest this high personality is showing towards her is completely unconscious of the dramas she provokes. She will push Muffat towards doing the unforgivable. In the cruel game of passion, he will loose his fortune, his health, honor, rank and, having fallen to the lowest, will strangle the fair capricious girl.