Luzia arrives in Rio with the expectation of a new life. In the big city, she meets Jasão, her fiance, a former cowboy, who had left the Northeast. But he pretends not to recognize her and Luzia, alone, is forced to accept the protection of Calunga, an unconcerned man for whom life is a fascinating adventure without character or remorse. After using her, he leaves her in the hands of Ignácio, to whom she asks for temporary shelter. But a reunion with Jasão awakens love again.