Act 1
Richard Rowan is an author hoping to establish his family in Ireland, his homeland, after spending some time overseas in Rome. He has brought his common-law wife, Bertha, and their son, Archie, with him. Upon returning to Ireland, he runs into an ex named Bertha and her current boyfriend and Richard's old pal, Robert Hand. Introductions aside, Robert makes a move on Bertha in Richard's home that evening. They kiss passionately for a while before he invites her over to his place later that night. Of course Bertha tells Richard about the advances, but she tells him she's considering the offer. Obviously jealous, he tells her to make her own decisions.
Act 2
Robert is patiently waiting in his home for Bertha's arrival, but he's surprised to see Richard. Richard confronts him about the seduction of his girlfriend. Suddenly Bertha arrives. Taking the message, Richard leaves her to her own affairs, returning home. Bertha spends some intimate, romantic time with Robert, but the audience is not informed whether or not they make love. Afterward she speaks fondly to him. He asks for a profession of love, however, which she is unwilling to make.
Act 3
Early the next morning Bertha awakens at home to the maid's announcement that Richard left the house early. He's gone for a walk to clear his head. Bertha notes an article in the paper written about Richard by Robert. Apparently he's decided to stroke Richard's ego by celebrating his return to Ireland. Both Robert and Bertha verbally agree that last night was a dream, but circumstances won't allow the audience to believe this. Robert visits Richard in order to persuade him that nothing happened the previous night between he and Bertha. He claims to have written that newspaper piece at home, picked up a woman at a nightclub, and spent the night with her. Although he does not profess belief in Robert's alibi, Richard returns home to Bertha and makes up with her. He confesses that last night he secretly wanted to feel cheated in order to revive a sense of passion and intrigue for her. In his arms Bertha confesses how badly she longs for her "lover," claiming it is Richard, but there is some obvious room for doubt in her profession.
