In the second part of the trilogy, the young and beautiful Fanny discovers that she is pregnant after her lover, Marius, has deserted her to follow the adventurous life of the sea. After finding succor in the kindness of the equally bereaved César, Fanny reluctantly accepts the marriage offer of an older wealthy suitor Panisse (Charpin), in order to make the child legitimate. Unaware that he is now a father, Marius returns to marry Fanny, but is sent away by his father César in order to prevent further unhappiness.
