novel introduces Tanneguy and his daughter, Margaït, as they begin their morning journey from their village towards the seaside. The narrative paints an idyllic picture of their surroundings, emphasizing Margaït's beauty and innocence as she flits through nature, blissfully unaware of the potential challenges that adulthood may bring. Their encounter with Octave, a young man of noble lineage, hints at romantic developments and societal pressures, especially as whispers of scandal involving the beggar Éric emerge. As Tanneguy becomes aware of the dangers surrounding his daughter, the peaceful tone begins to shift towards a more turbulent undercurrent, setting the stage for future conflicts and explorations of moral character. (This is an automatically generated summary.)