The frenetic pace of the edit was intended to match the action, based on Article 635 of the French criminal code stipulating that after 20 years on the run, a penal colony escapee can regain his freedom if he evades capture by the police.

After the divorce of her parents, Colette gets sent to her grandfather's who she never really knows. Mrs. Lapierre, her new governess is very severe indeed. Later, due to their disputes, Colette runs away from home and gets sick.