Mimí, a poor seamstress, comes to live in the same lodgings as Rodolfo, a struggling writer. Rodolfo is intrigued by Mimí's beauty and introduces her to his Bohemian friends. Later, when Rodolfo writes for a periodical without realizing that it is no longer publishing, Mimí fakes delivery of the articles and substitutes her earnings for the fee. A viscount, in love with Mimí, is persuaded by her to commission Rodolfo to write a play. However, although he is now in love with her, Rodolfo believes that Mimí, his inspiration, is deceiving him with the viscount and throws her out. Later, Mimí takes work making artificial flowers but becomes ill. One of Rodolfo's friends encounters her and invites her back to the lodgings for a meal. Although Rodolfo, now successful, no longer lives there, he returns for the dinner and reunites with Mimí. However, she is now very ill and is moved to a hospital where she dies with Rodolfo at her side.