Laura (Susan Hayward), an American heiress in London, is a party girl living it up, in denial of her serious illness. She rebuffs the concerns of her ex-lover (Edward Judd) and keeps her health a secret from her sister (Diane Baker). Eventually, John (Michael Craig), a handsome doctor, demands she get treatment, and Laura finally listens. Doctor and patient fall in love and move to a house on the Cornish coast. In her dying days, the restless heiress searches for humility, happiness and peace.