Intheforties,inalittlesettlementlostamidstthemountainsofTrás-os-Montes,Leonardotriestosurvivebybuyingandsellingmartenandfoxfurs,dreamingofthedayhe'llcloseabigdeal.HiswifeErmelinda,theprettiestgirlinthevillage,startstoworkasamaidinthehouseofamancalledSantiago,nicknamedAmerican.Hismanners,charmandindirectlyhiswealthfinallyseduceher,andachildisborn.TogetridofhertheAmericangiveshermoneyandhelpsLeonardoclosehismuchsough-afterdeal.MeanwhiletheAmericanconcentrateshisattentiononGuida,agirlof16whoalsogetspregnant.SantiagodecidestocourtErmelindaagain,andshekillshiminafitofrage.ErmelindatellsherhusbandshekilledtheAmericaninselfdefence.LeonardotakesresponsabilityforthecrimeandfleestoSpaintothehouseofhisfriendIglesias.SometimelaterLeonardorealisesheisnotthefatherofthechildandleaveshisrefugetoconfrontErmelinda.