The novel takes place in the 18th century in New Orleans. A Spanish army led by Colonel McCormack enters the city. He accidentally meets a local beauty, the daughter of an arrested merchant, Felicite Lafargue. The colonel promises to save the life of the girl’s father if she appears with him in society. However, Felicite's adopted brother, Valcourt, lies to his father, presenting what happened in a completely different light, and he, unable to bear the shame, commits suicide. Felicite, thinking that McCormack has broken his word, agrees to run away with Valcourt. But he lures her onto a pirate ship and takes her to a remote island that serves as a pirate base, intending to make her his mistress. Suddenly, on this island, Felicite meets McCormack again...