ThefamouswriterBernardtravelstoasmalltownnearbyalaketospendvacationoutofseasoninthewinter.HecheckinanoldhotelownedbyEnricoandhisdaughterIrmaexpectingtomeetthemaidTilde,fromwhomhehadacrushlasttimehevisitedthetown.However,hediscoversthatTildehascommittedsuicideandwhenhemeetsthelocalphotographer,Bernardlearnsthatshewaspregnant.Hebecomesobsessedtofindwhethershereallycommittedsuicideandtoguesswhatreallyhappened.WhenEnrico'ssonMarioandhiswifeAdrianaarriveatthehotel,BernardhasdaydreamsaboutthefateofTilde.