Pierre Lumens, fiftyish, is a broken man. Since becoming a widower, he has shut himself off from the world, from others, has become bitter and nihilistic. The only remaining passion in his life is his job restoring art works. One day, he is given the task of restoring an antique cross. A strange and paradoxical relationship of attraction - repugnance is established between himself and the object which, despite much unconscious resistance, will lead Lumens back to humanity, compassion and perhaps even piety.