A respectable family falls into crisis when their extensive apple orchard is ruined. Delgado, a wealthy industrialist from the North, has just arrived in the village, apparently with good intentions. Desperate to keep up appearances, the Major and D. Lúcia introduce him to their innocent and eccentric daughter, Cilinha, who is only interested in her singing lessons. They entice him with the prospect of a rich dowry, but they are unaware that Delgado is not quite who he appears to be...