The young Armand Duval falls in love with the attractive noble courtesan Marguerite Gautier, and she also develops increasingly strong feelings for him. However, Armand's father disapproves of his son's relationship with Marguerite and, behind Armand's back, ensures that she breaks up with him. Armand is bitterly disappointed by her supposed betrayal of love. What he does not yet know is that Marguerite is terminally ill and does not have long to live...