Free-minded Ryno de Marigny (Fu'ad Ait Aattou), on the eve of his wedding to aristocratic Hermangarde (Roxane Mesquida), resolves to end his 10-year relationship with Vellini (Asia Argento), a Spanish courtesan. But vicious rumors and betrayal stand between the breakup and his successful marriage. Claude Sarraute and Yolande Moreau co-star in director Catherine Breillat's sumptuous adaptation of Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly's novel.