[3] Despite a privileged upbringing with adopted parents, Albertine develops a crush for Marie, a delinquent girl, and is arrested after an armed robbery together.

Climbing out of jail with seven years still to serve, she collapses by a highway, having broken her astragal, a tiny bone in the foot.

She is rescued by Julien, a professional criminal who happens to be passing, and he leaves her in Paris with Nini, a prostitute he knows.

Though he pays for an operation to her damaged foot and gets her false identity papers, his way of life means indefinite absences.

Unable to risk legitimate work, Albertine takes up prostitution and saves up for a hoped-for future with Julien.