Habib ben Habib climbs to the top of a building in Kairwan as the Sun is rising to survey the city. He was a university student in France, and his friend Genet is in the French garrison stationed outside of the Tunisian city. They hang out every now and then, both in and out of the city. At one point, Habib saw a woman he fell in love with. He refuses to learn her name but calls her Nedjma because he sees her under the stars. Habib declares that he will marry her because she is so beautiful, but she tells him that she is already promised to another. Habib swears that he will not accept this. Habib careens through the streets the following morning, in search of his friend Genet and, once he is found, Habib begs Genet to let him borrow a car or two horses so he can whisk Nedjma away. Genet makes fun of him and leaves. Habib's father appears and takes him to the mosque for prayer. His father speaks about Habib's betrothed, the daughter of a notary who is very beautiful. Months pass, and Habib still sees his Nedjma, whose name he has not yet learned. Unhappy with his arranged marriage, he complains to her and waxes poetic about how he is a real man who makes decisions, like the Christians and unlike his countrymen. Nedjma promises to run away with him, but only if they move quickly, as she is vaguely afraid. Habib sneaks into the garrison outside the city walls and goes to Genet for help. Genet lectures him on the difference between love and lust, but promises to get him the car the next night. But Habib is not there the next night, and Genet drives the car back. The following day, Habib is to marry his betrothed. He stands in the center of the party without a care, and frets the loss of the woman he loves. The hour-long ceremony drags on and Habib has many visions and hallucinations. Suddenly, he feels full of his heritage, and is happy to be married. He is led to the silent room where his bride is held and sees her for the first time. She is covered in makeup. But, he realizes it is the woman he has pined for for months. He also realizes that she is already pregnant. After he confronts her father, he agrees to give back the bridal price.