Claudie,ayoungFrenchwoman,inheritsheruncle'spropertyinAlgeria,muchtothedisappointmentofherschemingcousinsDianeandManuel.OntheferryshemeetsandfallsforPierre,anidleyoungmanwhohassquanderedhisinheritanceandisonhiswaytobegfromChristian,hisrichbutrough-and-readyuncle,whoownsaneighbouringfarmtoClaudie's.MadetoworkonthefarmbyChristianasaloancondition,Pierreissoonachangedman,andproposestoClaudie.ButwhenhisArabfriendZoubirinvitestheEuropeansonahuntingparty,DianeandManuelseetheirchancetomoveagainsttheircousin.