The story of this novel takes place in Louisiana in the 1800s. Therese Lafirme is a young widow who is doing an able job running a plantation. David Hosmer, who runs the sawmill, falls in love with her, and she begins to return his affection. But Therese is also a devout Catholic, and when she finds that David has been divorced, she persuades him that the right thing to do is to retry to have a life with his ex-wife. David follows this advice, remarries Fanny (who is an alcoholic) and brings her back to live with him on the plantation. The novel explores the consequences of a loveless union, and Therese's own doubts about her former ironclad beliefs.