The story unfolds primarily within the confines of La Madrileña, a quaint boardinghouse situated in Buenos Aires. The establishment is run by Mrs. Milagros (/actor/maria-luisa-robledo), a caring matron who shares her home with her three daughters. Among the residents is Camilo Canegato (/actor/mario-soffici), a reserved, middle-aged painter and skilled portrait restorer known for his shy demeanor and short stature. Also present is David Réguel (/actor/alberto-dalbs), a young man studying law, along with other boarders and visitors who fill the daily life of the house.
For over twelve years, Camilo has lived in relative solitude until he begins to receive mysterious, perfumed love letters each evening at 10 pm, sent by a woman named Rosaura. These letters stir a sense of longing and mystery in him. Hidden within his room is a portrait of Rosaura—an image of a beautiful, youthful woman that he holds dear. Unbeknownst to Camilo, Mrs. Milagros and her daughters secretly read the passionate correspondence, astonished that such a delicate, stunning woman could be so enamored with someone as shy and unassuming as Camilo. Their curiosity grows when they learn Rosaura lives with her wealthy but domineering father and her aunt, who are forcing her into an unwanted marriage with a man she does not love.
One fateful evening, Rosaura unexpectedly appears at La Madrileña, seeking out Camilo. Mrs. Milagros immediately recognizes her from the portrait and warmly welcomes her into the house. Meanwhile, Camilo is taken aback and treats Rosaura coldly, visibly shaken by her appearance. Recognizing her as the woman from his dreams, Mrs. Milagros offers Rosaura a free stay at the house. Despite her initial hesitation, Rosaura decides to remain, and soon after, she and Camilo marry.
Their happiness, however, is short-lived. Tragically, Rosaura is found dead in the hotel room where they had spent their wedding night. David, who had followed the newlyweds in a cab, discovers her body and rushes back to La Madrileña to inform everyone that Camilo may have murdered her. The police arrive to investigate, questioning the boarders and examining an unmailed letter Rosaura had written to her aunt.
Through the investigation, it is revealed that Rosaura's true name was Maria, a young woman Camilo encountered several years earlier. Maria was the niece of his laundry lady, and her aunt once provided Camilo with a picture of her. Driven by his infatuation, Camilo became enamored with Maria. Tragically, Maria's aunt pushed her into a sordid world of prostitution, encouraging her to exchange her favors for money with Camilo, who was unaware of her circumstances and believed her to be innocent. The last time Camilo tried to see her, Maria's aunt claimed she had died, but in truth, she was sentenced to prison for an undisclosed crime.
After serving five years, Maria emerged from jail and approached an old friend's apartment, seeking refuge. Unfortunately, her friend was involved in a prostitution ring managed by a man known as the Turk. When Maria refused to work for the Turk, she was beaten and threatened. She managed to escape the clutches of her captors, at last turning to La Madrileña to find Camilo, not out of love, but to ask for money to return to her hometown and reunite with her aunt.
During questioning, Camilo confesses that the love letters Rosaura (or Maria) was not a genuine romance but a ruse to impress Matilde (/actor/mara-concepcin-csar), Mrs. Milagros's daughter, whom he secretly loved. The portrait of Rosaura was actually modeled after Maria, and the love letters were fabricated by Camilo. Rosaura’s arrival and her correspondence were mere coincidences, not premeditated acts.
Further revelations come to light when Camilo admits that on their wedding night, Maria taunted him, reminding him that he would owe her alimony if they divorced. Enraged, Camilo attempted to strangle her but abruptly stopped, unable to take her life. Instead, he ran into the streets, overwhelmed and disoriented, just as David was waiting outside, having followed the couple out of concern for Maria’s safety.
It turns out that the hotel where Camilo and Maria stayed was owned by the Turk, who had never met Maria but was connected to the violent men—pimps—working under him. The police soon deduce that the Turk and/or his associates were responsible for Maria’s murder. After further investigations, they arrest the Turk, his pimps, and Maria’s friend. Camilo is ultimately cleared of suspicion, their names cleared in the aftermath of the tragic chain of events.
The film concludes with the harsh realities of love, fate, and the unanticipated consequences faced by those caught in a web of deception and crime, highlighting how chance and hidden truths can alter lives forever.
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