Clive Grenfal returns home unexpectedly and discovers his wife in the arms of Henry Morgan; he takes a shot at Morgan and, believing him to be dead, runs for cover, becoming a hermit in the Canadian north woods. During his travels, Clive meets up with de Fontenac, a courtly old man who lives in a castle with his beautiful granddaughter, Teresa. She falls in love with Clive, and Clive comes to love her in return but does nothing to indicate this feeling, thinking himself a wanted man. Henry Morgan shows up and turns his lustful advances toward Teresa; Clive protects the girl and, knowing now that Morgan is alive (and married to Clive's former wife, who has obtained a divorce in his absence), for the first time feels free to open his heart to the expectant Teresa.