São Paulo, late 19th century. The nobleman Lineu Maciel, from a traditional São Paulo family, loses his entire fortune gambling. The problem could be solved by marrying his daughter, the beautiful Cecília, to the young Edmundo Amarante, son of the wealthy merchant Jorge Amarante. However, Edmundo's miserly father hates the Maciel family, even more so because they are ruined, and promises to disinherit his son if the marriage takes place.