Caprice

Clément, a divorced primary school teacher, shares his worries with headmaster Thomas about his lonely life. Thomas is also dealing with a failing marriage, which colors their conversation and hints at mutual support.

In the evenings Clément goes to the theatre and is moved by Alicia's performances. Her regal beauty and rare acting ability bring him to tears.

Thomas asks for a sympathetic teacher to tutor Alicia's nephew staying at her elegant house. He offers the job to Clément, who is drawn to the opportunity.

Alicia grows to appreciate Clément's shy charm and his natural rapport with children. Clément, meanwhile, has fallen in love with her from her stage performances.

Clément moves into Alicia's house as he bonds with her and their relationship deepens beyond teacher and actress. The living arrangement marks the start of a closer connection.

Clément and Thomas go out for drinks and are chatted up by Caprice and her flatmate. The encounter foreshadows Caprice's growing role in Clément's life.

After spending the night with Caprice, Clément sneaks back into Alicia's house at dawn. A servant sees him leaving, which alarms Alicia, and Clément is banished to the spare room.

Out with theatre friends, Alicia encounters Thomas and they end up spending the night together in the theatre, raiding the manager's drinks cupboard. The pair conceal their indiscretion from Clément.

Caprice keeps finding reasons to contact Clément, refusing to let him disappear from her life. While Alicia is away on a long tour, Clément begins to retreat, sensing trouble ahead.

During Alicia's tour, Clément breaks a leg in an accident and Caprice looks after him. He refuses to be unfaithful again, but their closeness complicates his feelings.

When Clément tells Caprice he won't see her anymore, she takes an overdose and is hospitalized. He learns she has a male friend who will look after her.

Back in Alicia's favour, she takes up a play that Clément started and Caprice helped improve, which proves to be a success. The collaboration helps restore both Alicia's and Clément's standing in the theatre world.

The prominent actress and the rising playwright lead a brilliant life, while Thomas's wife returns to him. The circle's fortunes shift as love and ambition intertwine.

Nobody knows what has happened to Caprice by the end of the story. Her absence leaves a lingering question in the lives of Alicia, Clément, and Thomas.