A heavily fictionalized version of the RMS Titanic story.

In 1635, Jacques du Parquet, the nephew of the well known explorer Belain d'Esnambic, enters a tavern in Dieppe, and falls in love with the daughter of the bartender, Marie Bonnard. He knows his noble family would disapprove such a marriage; besides, he is nominated for the post of governor in Martinica. He promised never to forget Marie, but as time goes by, she will accept to marry a rich and unscrupulous man, Monsieur de Saint-André. When her husband is appointed to serve in Martinica as General Commissioner, Marie demands to go with him. At her arrival, all sorts of trouble arrive: pirates take action against travelers and goods, rotten deals set the two officers against each other, and finally jealousy settles to make things worse.

La misère plus que le vice a réduit Zélie au métier de fille publique, qu'elle exerce pour payer les soins qui sont nécessaires a sa demi-sœur Palote. Après beaucoup de tribulations, ces deux êtres ayant retrouvé, l'une son père, l'autre une famille, goûtent enfin une vie meilleure.

The lover of an Italian revolutionary offers herself to Napoleon in exchange for her sweetheart's life.