A young couple, Renée and Pierre, take a room one night at the Hôtel du Nord in Paris, near the canal Saint-Martin. They want to die together, but after having shot at Renée, Pierre lacks the courage and runs away. Another customer, Monsieur Edmond, rescues Renée. When she gets out of hospital, she is hired as a waitress at the hotel. Monsieur Edmond falls in love with her, but Renée is still thinking of Pierre ...