A long-term patient at a tuberculosis hospital shares his porch with Henry Comstock, the handsome resident in the neighboring room. One day, he hears Henry talking with two visitors: Arthur Corey and his wife, Mary. Arthur and Henry have been friends since college. The three chat for a while about Arthur’s success as a world-renowned pianist, and then the couple departs. His neighbor inquires about their visit, and Henry reveals the reason he’s in the sanitarium. Last summer, he visited Arthur, who was training under a piano maestro in Switzerland. Arthur became enamored with a young woman named Albertine, and he started to get distracted from his studies. Henry feared the affair would prevent Arthur from achieving his lifelong dreams. Arthur brushed off Henry’s worries. He couldn’t deny Albertine the sexual fulfillment she clearly needed. Henry spent time with her to get her away from Arthur. She quickly turned her attention to Henry, and they went away to Paris. He tells the other man that he did it for the sake of Arthur’s art. After they slept together, Albertine revealed that she had tuberculosis. Now sick himself, Henry is wracked with guilt over taking advantage of a dying woman. His neighbor consoles him, echoing Arthur’s sentiment that Albertine chose to spend her last days loving and being loved. Henry doesn’t believe him—he is sure that his own sickness is a fitting punishment. When he receives word that Albertine has died, the guilt intensifies. Henry’s confidante reiterates that Albertine willingly accepted her fate for a final chance at love. Henry finally understands, and his health rapidly improves. He leaves the sanitarium as a happy, healthy man.