Louise is the young daughter of an affluent merchant in Southern California in 1912. Although she is surrounded by every luxury and refinement, she craves the love of her mother, Judith. Louise doesn't understand her mother and often finds solace in the arms of her governess, Marie. When Louise discovers her father is having an affair, she begins to understand the depth of her mother's pain. She tries to align with her mother, but Judith goes too far and Louise can no longer follow.