Amaro (José Condessa), a young Catholic priest sent to serve in Leiria, lodges in the boarding house of S. Joaneira (Filomena Gonçalves), a devout widow who is secretly the longtime mistress of the senior local clergyman, Cónego Dias (José Raposo). Amaro falls into an intense attraction with S. Joaneira's daughter, Amélia (Bárbara Branco). Although Amélia is courted by and engaged to João Eduardo (Diogo Martins), she surrenders to her desire for Amaro. Their covert sexual relationship leads to an illegitimate pregnancy, triggering cover-ups and tragic consequences as they attempt to conceal the truth from the conservative community.