Philippe, the order of an old colonel, surprises the wife of his boss in the arms of a young lieutenant. So that he remains silent, she offers herself to him

The narrator, who is expecting her train, following a funeral procession to care . He learns that the deceased was raped in her youth by a valet and was considered, not without hypocrisy, as an untouchable in his village.

Bonifacio 1883, extreme south of Corsica. The widow of the late Saverini lives in an isolated house near the cliffs, with her only son Antoine, and her dog. During the day, she assists women giving birth in town. One night her son is killed in a clash. The murderer flees to Sardinia. Her world falls to pieces.