After the death of his debauched father, Jean returns home to find his stepmother, Sylvia, who bears a striking resemblance to his late mother. Disinherited and left with nothing, the pair is taken in by Jean's grandfather to live and work as servants on his vast plantation. Despite the cruelty of the estate's staff and the hardships they face, Jean and Sylvia find solace in one another, eventually giving in to their mutual attraction and entering a forbidden relationship.
Jean and Sylvia continue their forbidden affair while living under the roof of Jean's ailing grandfather. To secure Jean's future and ensure he inherits the family's vast wealth despite the opposition of their relatives, Sylvia enters into a secret, carnal arrangement with the dying Master. Following the Master's sudden death during an intimate encounter, Jean successfully inherits the estate, freeing him and Sylvia from their oppressive family and allowing them to fully indulge in their passion.