Francesco is a self-confident, independent-minded young man and happy in his work. He's been married for several years now to vivacious and expansive young Marta. Francesco receives a telegram from the Turkish embassy informing him that he must claim an inheritance left by his aunt Anita. He arrives in Istanbul where he learns that he is now the owner of a Turkish bath. He decides to remain in Turkey and restore the hammam. When Marta joins him some time later she finds him a radically changed man - serene and open to others. When she suprises him making love to Mehmet she is deeply perturbed. They spend the night talking things over that have gone unsaid in the course of their 10 years marriage. They decide to separate. Marta is ready to leave, but on the day of her departure, something unexpected occurs - and neither he nor she will ever return to italy.