Max and Dora, his fiancée, are together with some friends, playing at tennis. Dora wearies of this, and, dilating on the pleasures of a dip in the briny, leaves the tennis court, and makes Max accompany her to the shore. Here they enter two bathing machines, and both emerge attired in bathing dress. Dora plunges into the sea with delight, but Max, who has a dread of water, lingers at the edge of the waves. In vain Dora urges him to join her. He remains on the shore until she returns to the bathing machine. Dora expresses her contempt of his conduct in no uncertain terms; further, she attaches one of her rings to a piece of ribbon and throws it into the sea, vowing she will not marry Max until he brings it back to her. Max makes valiant attempts to conquer his aversion to water, both on the shore and later, on returning home, by experiments with a home-made shower bath; but his efforts are fruitless. He is dining that evening with some friends