Philip Carey, a handicapped orphan, is raised by a self-indulgent Victorian clergyman. Shedding his religious faith as a young man, he studies art in Paris, finally returning to London to qualify as a doctor. In Paris, Philip attends art classes, makes a few friends among fellow art students and meets Miss Price, a poor talentless art student who does not get along well with people. Miss Price falls in love with Philip, but he does not return her feelings. After her funds run out, she commits suicide, leaving Philip to tend to her affairs.