Student Antonio returns from Rome, where he had lived off his father's fortune, to his hometown Catania, as the father has invested the family's assets into an orange grove and is unable to finance Antonio's lifestyle anymore. Owning a reputation of a successful womanizer, Antonio's parents decide that it is time for him to settle down and arrange for a marriage with notary Puglisi's daughter Barbara. Antonio, hesitating at first, falls in love with Barbara after seeing a photo of her and agrees to marry her.
One year later, Puglisi confronts Antonio's unbelieving father with the fact that the marriage was never consummated, and obtains its annulation. Barbara soon marries the rich Duke of Bronte, leaving behind a grieving Antonio who still loves her. Antonio confesses to his cousin Edoardo that during his time in Rome, he was able to sleep with women whom he didn't care for, but was impotent when he met a woman for whom he had sincere feelings.
Some time later, Antonio's father dies from a heart attack during a visit to a brothel, where he wanted to prove his intact manhood. While the family is still in mourning, the housemaid Santuzza collapses, revealing that she is pregnant from Antonio. Antonio's mother instantly gives the news to relatives and neighbours that Antonio is becoming a father, and announces his and Santuzza's marriage. When Edoardo rings up Antonio to congratulate him, Antonio declares that he still thinks of Barbara and starts crying.
