Milena and Mattia meet at a restaurant and order grilled sandwiches and beer. They tell each other what they've been up to in the last few days. Milena spent a lot of time at home studying, while Mattia was busy practicing for a concert.

While Milena and Mattia are waiting to order, they talk about what they'll do that evening. Milena is going to go for a walk and Mattia would like to go with her. They agree to meet later, and set a time.

Two medical students at the University of Naples leave the library and race through town down to the beach. At the Cajafa palace, Princess Elena is called to her father's study where they discuss the ball to take place that evening.

Giorgio takes his friend Giuseppe to a ball in honor of Princess Elena Cajafa. Giuseppe feels out of place, but Giorgio insists on having him meet some important people, hoping it will help his career, not to mention the entrance exam they have the following day.

Giuseppe and Elena exchange a few words during the dance, but then he goes home to study. The next day, at the exam, his friend is having a hard time.

Moscati has to prove himself at the exam, to demonstrate whether he is just presumptuous or can back it up by knowing what to do with the patient before him. His friend Piromallo waits for him outside, meanwhile.

Giuseppe and Giorgio are dressed to go out on the town. They get temporarily sidelined by a kid trying to break into a house, who then falls. They go to a nightspot where there is a performer Giorgio has his eye on.

The evening Giorgio planned to spend with Cloe doesn't turn out as he had hoped. The next day at the hospital, on their first day of work, Giorgio and Giuseppe get to know Sister Helga who rules with an iron fist.

Giuseppe walks through the market and witnesses a scene whereby a carabiniere policeman chases down a kid who was trying to steal some food. The kid is one Giuseppe has seen before.

Giuseppe's passion for his work puts his patients' well-being ahead of following the rules and getting chastised by his superiors. Giorgio is much more easygoing and as soon as the shift is over, is ready to have fun.

Giuseppe stays late at work, which he is not allowed to do, and he gets an unusual visitor.

Moscati continues to disobey the rules of the hospital. Nobody can deny, however, that he is having some success with his methods.

Giorgio goes to see Cloe perform again, while Giuseppe takes Elena to a place that isn't easy to reach. The two friends are clearly in love.

In 1906 Vesuvius erupted, its worst eruption of the entire 20th century. Torre del Greco, a town near Vesuvius, was particularly affected. Buildings collapsed, sick people were trapped inside the hospitals, and Giuseppe and Giorgio rushed there to help out.

Moscati risks his life to save some of the patients from the hospital. It took courage and patience.