Desire

Madeleine de Beaupre selects a string of priceless pearls at a prestigious Paris jeweler and pretends to be the wife of the eminent psychiatrist Maurice Pauquet. She arranges for the pearls to be delivered to Pauquet's office so he can pay for them. She ensures both men believe the other is Madeleine's husband, setting up a double deception that will drive the rest of the plot.

Before the delivery, she tells Pauquet that her 'husband' is plagued by delusions and must be examined. Stepping outside the shop, she intercepts Aristide Duvalle and inveigles the pearls from him. The swap leaves each man convinced the other is Madeleine's husband.

By the time the pair realize they've been had, Madeleine is speeding toward the Spanish border. Along the way, she splashes mud onto Tom Bradley, an American engineer on assignment in France, who then begins to pursue her. Tom's pursuit marks the start of an unlikely romance-set chase.

At the customs office near the border, Tom helps by unpicking the car horn, which is stuck. To keep the hot pearls from prying eyes, Madeleine slips them into Tom's jacket pocket. Tom clears his luggage, unaware of the pearls now tucked away with him.

Madeleine says she needs a ride to continue to San Sebastián and Tom, smitten yet practical, agrees to drive her. He becomes a willing, if unwitting, accomplice as the journey unfolds. Their burgeoning attraction complicates both their plans.

Mid-journey, Madeleine seizes an opportunity to steal Tom's car, leaving him standing in the road with his suitcase. He is forced to pursue the next leg of the journey on his own. The act cements her ruthless streak even as the chase intensifies.

Madeleine arrives in San Sebastián and reconnects with her accomplice and sponsor, Count Carlos Margoli. Tom tracks her down with the help of a policeman, who cannot imagine a charming countess could be a thief. The stage is set for a dangerous bargain.

Carlos pays for the car and Madeleine pretends to be attracted to Tom to regain the pearls. Tom, enthralled by her, is swept further into the con’s orbit. The trio’s dynamic tightens as the plan to fence the pearls takes shape.

Carlos longs for Madeleine and urges immediate departure for Madrid to fence the pearls, but Madeleine has fallen for Tom and wants to leave crime behind. They become engaged, and Olga the gangster aunt tries to break them apart. The conflict peaks as Carlos pushes for a quick fencing trip.

After taunts from Carlos and Olga, Madeleine finally reveals her true identity to Tom. He is too in love to care about her past, and together they overpower Carlos to seize the necklace and head back to Paris.

Back in Paris, Duvalle forgives Madeleine but insists she must still face authorities for her crime. Pauquet becomes her physician's patient as the circle closes around her wrongdoing. The couple prepares to settle their future with responsibility.

In a final twist, Tom is asked to show a marriage license, but he instead produces Madeleine's parole, proving clemency by the police. Duvalle and Pauquet serve as witnesses as the couple contemplates marriage, sealing the reconciliation with legal clearance.