Near-tragic misunderstandings threaten a shipboard romance.

Internationally renowned French artist Michel Marnet, who is engaged to marry American industrial heiress Lois Clarke, meets Terry McKay aboard a ship sailing from Naples to America, and falls in love with her. Though Terry, a nightclub singer, is engaged to Kenneth Bradley, the man who saved her career, she falls in love with Michel. To prevent scandal at home, Terry avoids being seen publicly with Michel, but when the ship docks at Madiera, Michel's grandmother, who lives on the island, tells Terry that she, not Lois, is the right woman for Michel. Having received the grandmother's blessing, Terry and Michel's romance flourishes, and before docking in New York, the two make a pact to meet six months later on top of the Empire State building, after they have made successes of themselves. During their separation, Terry moves to Philadelphia and is successful singing in nightclubs, while Michel paints. Both dream of the day when they will be reunited, but tragically, Terry is struck by a car on her way to the rendezvous. In the hospital, she is told that she may be crippled for life, but that her fate will not be known for certain for another six months. Because of her condition, Terry decides not to tell Michel what happened and does not contact him at all. While recuperating, Terry gets a job at an orphanage. One evening, while attending a theater performance, Terry and Kenneth see Michel with a female companion. Terry and Michel greet each other, but do not acknowledge each other as recent lovers. Kenneth expresses interest in getting Terry back together with Michel, but she insists on waiting until she is well. After having tracked her down, Michel pays Terry a visit at her apartment, where he discovers her condition, forgives her silence, and assures her that they should always be together regardless of her condition.