A menaced politic leaves his child with another family who will raise her unaware of her true origin. When she grows up the son of a duchess falls in love with her, but the mother rejects her based on her supposed non-aristocratic origin. Little does she suspect what truth will unveil.

Elena and Zefor are brothers. They live with their mother in a wild country where smuggling reigns. At their modest home, Zefor plays the violin while she dances to entertain the bandits. Arturo, one of them, has conquered Elena's heart.

Film version of the play.