An exotic dancer decides to have a child, but can't find a man to father it.

Angéla, a stripteaser in a Parisian dive, and Emile, a bookseller in the Faubourg St. Denis section of Paris, have been living together for some time. Emile's friend, Alfred Lubitsch, a photographer, makes no secret of his admiration for Angéla but cherishes a hopeless dream, since she adores Emile. One night at dinner, Angéla announces that she wants to have a baby, and that the ideal moment for conception is at hand. Emile demurs, since he is not anxious to settle down to marriage. Angéla threatens to make a father out of the first man she sees but loses her nerve when a detective arrives to investigate a disturbance. She warns Emile that she will address herself to Alfred; he angrily proclaims his indifference and invites his friend up. Tired of being ridiculed, Angéla leads Alfred into the bathroom; she flirts with him but they do not make love. The next morning, Alfred sets out to convince Angéla that he loves her. He invites her to a cafe, offers her vermouth, plays Charles Aznavour's "Tu te laisses aller," and produces an old photo of Emile with another woman. Determined not to allow the opportunity for motherhood to pass, Angéla returns home to make lunch. Relations with Emile continue to be icy, however, and she decides to meet Alfred. Meanwhile, Emile decides to marry her. He finds that she is not at work, and he gloomily picks up a prostitute. He then sets out in despair for Alfred's, only to have his worst fears confirmed. He sends a message that he is leaving for Rio, and Angéla returns home in tears. Emile decides to forgive Angéla, and they make love so that he can be equally sure of being the father.