Former society matron Lulu has fallen on hard times, and gradually is forced to work her way down the social ladder. At first she's a dancer, then a kept woman, and finally a prostitute. One of her first clients is Jack the Ripper.
Country bumpkin Nemorino is in love with Adina. She seems interested, but a poor farmer is beneath her station. She flirts with handsome Sgt Belcore, but when Nemorino joins his army to earn money to marry Adina, she sheds a secret tear.