Mother Hummingbird

Irene de Rysbergue is not finding the tenderness she desires in her marriage: her husband is indifferent to her; Richard, her eldest son, is withdrawn from her. Only the youngest son bears witness to his mother's kindness. Irene meets one of her son's friends, Georges de Chambry, a handsome officer in the Spahis. They are delighted with one another, and passion leads them astray. Surprised by Richard, Richard is confronted with a violent scene. Rebellious, Irene abandons her family and flees with Georges to Algeria. Slowly, over time, she becomes frightened by the passing of time and Georges' new conquests of other women. She decides to return home to a cold reception, consoled only in the knowledge that she'll be able to devote herself fully to Richard's youngest son.