Maria, a very sweet young woman, was loved by everyone, including Norberto, "a soul deadened by imbecility." However, she falls in love with Álvaro, an honest and well-intentioned young man, and they soon marry. Maria's parents, Dona Chincha (a wicked mother) and "Seu" Augusto (an alcoholic and lazy father), vehemently support the marriage, since Álvaro is rich. The only person unhappy with the marriage is Norberto.