In Madrid, Spain, an omniscient narrator transforms Mari Loli and Merche, two beautiful sales clerks, into Susana and Casta, who flirt with Don Hilarión, an old apothecary, which arouses the jealousy of Julián, who is in love with Susana.
Ricla, a village in Aragon, Spain, 1898. The imminent wedding between Jesús and Pilar, two young lovers, is frustrated when he is drafted to go to the war in Cuba.
The beautiful Francisquita is in love with Fernando, a student who aspires to become a poet; but he is infatuated with the very fiery actress Aurora la Beltrana, who is Lorenzo's lover.