Maldone is a canal worker, happy with his life after running away from his family estate. He falls in love with Zita, a young gypsy girl, during a local fete. However, after his brother dies, Maldone is called back to manage the estate. There, he takes up the life of a landowner and marries a neighbor's daughter. Years later Maldone is still restless on the estate, and becomes obsessed with Zita, after meeting her by chance one evening.

Maldone est un ouvrier du canal, après s'être enfui de son domaine familial. Il tombe amoureux de Zita, une jeune gitane, lors d'une fête locale. Cependant, après la mort de son frère, Maldone est rappelé pour gérer le domaine. Là, il reprend la vie de propriétaire terrien et épouse la fille d'un voisin. Des années plus tard, Maldone est toujours obsédé par Zita.