Jaime and Beatriz have known each other since they were children. He was the son of poor rural workers and she was the heir of a family of wealth and titles. The two young people dated secretly, fearing opposition from the Machado da Câmara family, which happened. Jaime and Beatriz decided to escape on a cargo ship heading toward Canada. But the Machado da Câmaras discovered their escape plans and threatened Beatriz with Jaime's imprisonment as soon as he set foot on land, accusing him of abducting a minor.