Adriana is a strikingly beautiful young woman of sixteen, living in poverty with her mother, a seamstress. Her physical allure, with full red lips and a well-proportioned figure, is seen by her mother as their sole means of escaping destitution since the passing of Adriana's father. Her mother openly blames Adriana's birth and her marriage for their financial struggles.

The Artist's Model

Believing Adriana is mature enough, her mother introduces her to an artist, hoping to secure her a job as a model. Adriana is unfazed by undressing in front of a stranger, even when her mother emphasizes her physical attributes with a clinical detachment. However, the mother's haggling over payment is unrefined, a tactic she employs to manipulate those of a gentler disposition, like the artist.

The artist agrees to a higher fee, and in a private conversation, attempts to convince Adriana that her mother's true love lies in wealth. Adriana, however, remains unconvinced by his insinuations. Though the artist is always proper in conduct, his financial struggles soon render him unable to employ her further. Adriana, nonetheless, finds other opportunities due to her exceptional physique.

Pursuing Dance

When modeling proves insufficient, Adriana's mother seeks to make her a dancer, arranging a meeting with a vaudeville manager. Despite Adriana's earnest efforts, her awkwardness is evident, and not even her mother's nagging can secure her a position on stage.

Committed to her work, Adriana takes on as many modeling assignments as possible, earning a reputation for chastity among artists, while supplementing income by sewing. Her life takes a turn when she meets Gino.

A New Romance

Gino, gentle in demeanor despite his labor-worn hands, is a driver for a wealthy family. He often takes Adriana on drives, much to her mother’s displeasure, who believes Adriana's beauty could captivate a man of higher status.

Adriana readily accepts Gino's invitation to visit his employer’s villa in their absence. Afterward, they sleep together, returning home late, which results in her mother’s furious assault and subsequent visit to a clinic for a medical examination. The confirmation of her mother’s suspicions leaves her mother resigned but composed.

Uncertain Future

Although marriage is the anticipated outcome for Adriana and Gino, he continually postpones the event. Her mother doubts it will ever happen, and Gisella, Adriana’s friend, cautions her to consider wealthy suitors. Gisella eventually persuades her to dine with Astarita, a well-off policeman interested in Adriana. The evening takes a turn when Gisella pressures her into accompanying Astarita to a hotel room, and on her way home, Adriana receives money from him.

Into the World of Vice

Adriana embarks on a new path, though her involvement with Gino remains unbroken. Her hopes are dashed when Astarita reveals Gino’s existing marriage and child. In retaliation, she and Gino revisit the villa, where she makes love to him in the mistress’s bed, later confessing her knowledge of his deceit while pocketing a compact from the room.

Her life spirals into prostitution, turning her home into a venue for clients, a situation her mother accepts due to the newfound financial relief. Adriana luxuriates in a languid lifestyle, enjoying the company of men, while her mother grows corpulent and less appealing.

Encounter with Gino

Adriana's path crosses Gino’s again, and he inquires about the missing compact. The wealthy household suspects a maid, who is unjustly imprisoned due to Gino’s machinations, but Adriana feels remorse. When Gino suggests selling the compact and sharing the proceeds, her compassion for the wrongly accused maid leads her to refuse.

One evening, Adriana sees Gino with Sonzogno, a fearsome thug. As she leaves with Gino,...