A married violinist deserts his family when he falls for his accompanist.

Virtuoso violinist Holger Brandt returns home to Stockholm after a lengthy concert tour to discover that although he still loves his wife Margit, the romance has gone out of his marriage. Finding himself attracted to the youth and passion of his daughter Ann Marie's piano teacher, Anita Hoffman, Holger proposes that Anita replace his accompanist Thomas Stenborg, who is retiring to teach music. Anita refuses, but soon is drawn into performing as Holger's offstage accompanist. Ashamed, Anita insists upon ending their affair, but Holger is unable to face losing her. After confessing all to Margit, Holger goes to Anita, and the two leave on an extended tour together. After the tour ends, they go on a holiday during which Anita is notified that she has won a coveted music scholarship. Recognizing that acceptance of the scholarship would mean separation from Holger, Anita turns it down, but soon senses Holger's growing longing for his family. At the seaside, they encounter Stenborg, who counsels Anita to accept the scholarship and leave Holger, for he contends, she could never be happy with a forbidden love. Anita accepts Stenborg's advice, resigning herself to the reality that she can only fill the role of an intermezzo in Holger's life. After Anita's departure, Holger, disconsolate, wanders the country alone, returning much later to see his daughter Ann Marie. As Ann Marie runs to her father, she is struck by a car, and Holger carries her home in his arms. Margit and Holger are then reconciled by their mutual love for Ann Marie, and the family is reunited at last.