 Biela is a timid country girl, who has always lived on a large but family-worked farm with her father, her only original family member. When the father dies, she moves to her cousin s house in town, as he becomes her tutor and estate administrator. His wife (Eliane Giardini), genuinely warm and well-intentioned, attempts to help Biela adapt to the town s social life, trying to transform the very rough country bumpkin into some resemblance of a city girl. But, Biela only feels at ease in the company of her element, the simple and rustic hired help. She even insists in taking her meals in the servant s cantine, and enventually wants to move into the domestics  sleeping quarters. Meanwhile, she meets Modesto, starting a very shy, somewhat forced relationship. But, the young man travels away and does not return, makinh Biela feel humiliated and miserable. One day, when she rescues a stray dog on the street, she finally starts to follow, and stick to, her own ("secret") way of life.