Victor Berthier, a good man but also a very jealous one, killed his wife in a fit of jealousy. After serving a few years in a chain gang, he is released for good behavior. He feels very happy to be able to return to Paris and to meet Lise, his daughter, again. But, to his dismay, he finds that Lise, through the fault of André, her lover and pimp, has unwillingly committed a murder.

Victor Berthier sort de prison et décide d’aller retrouver sa fille Lise. Celle-ci est heureuse de retrouver son père et lui ment en lui disant qu’elle est dactylo alors qu’elle est en vérité fille de joie. Victor offre une montre à Lise portant ses initiales et part chercher du travail. Pendant ce temps, André, amant de Lise, vient lui rendre visite. Ayant besoin d’argent, il l’emmène chez un usurier pour vendre la montre.

La Petite Lise conta a história do encontro de um pai libertado ao fim de muitos anos de prisão com a filha, que tenta esconder-lhe a sordidez da sua vida. Quando esta comete um crime, o pai decide sacrificar-se por ela.