Mahyna, a dissatisfied Russian peasant girl, marries Boris and comes to New York in search of "the soul of love," only to become a drudge in their cheap flat. Meanwhile, Boris, a bookshop keeper, dreams of a prosperous future from the book he is writing. Their boarder, Dave, a partner in a gambling establishment, makes a play for Mahyna; she is tempted to leave with him when Eddie, a former admirer, arrives on the scene, and the two get into constant arguments over her. A year later, she is married to Dave, and it is agreed that Boris will live with them. Boris becomes well-to-do with the sale of his book and begins an affair with Olga, the Happiness Girl on radio. A series of complications ensue, as the unreliable Eddie returns to renew his suit and Dave is involved in a murder case. Ditched by both men, Mahyna at last finds that Boris is indeed her only true love.