A young woman walks five miles to and from school every day in a pack with other children whose parents have warned them never to trust one another, despite their common heritage and history. She lives in the village of Mahaut with her father and stepmother, who puts her down out of jealousy and favors her own two children above the father's first two. Lacking love from anyone else in her life, she survives with her own defiant love for herself.

The young woman observes her own body begin to change, unsurprised by the sudden presence of her menstrual blood, enjoying the new smell of herself. She relies on her instinct over the book-learning of her school, so self-assured that she is unphased when her father sends her to board with a loose acquaintance in the city of Roseau. She immediately feels a connection with Madame Labatte, the host's wife, in whom she can see a shadow of youth gone. The depth of their friendship transcends conversation; they speak to each other wordlessly.

In an inevitable happenstance, Monsieur Roseau witnesses the young woman touching herself one evening. He leads her to his bed, and she experiences pain and pleasure like never before. Their coupling becomes a nightly ritual - she spends her days with his wife and nights with him. Madame Labatte hears them in the evening but pretends not to. The young woman realizes what the Madame is hoping for - a child born from a fertile womb for her to nurture. When she discovers she is with child, she is struck with terror. She gathers shillings from Monsieur Labatte's room and seeks out an old woman who supplies her with black liquid and a place to lie for eight days, losing her child and claiming her life for herself.