The year is 1840, and siblings Marianne (Lana Turner) and Marguerite Patourel (Donna Reed) have found love; the problem is, both women want William Ozone (Richard Hart). Ozone has eyes for Marguerite, but the jealous Marianne steps in to prevent her sister’s happiness. Through Marianne’s scheming and a bit of bad luck, William finds himself back in his native New Zealand. Though this distance cannot keep the Patourels away from Ozone, a sudden natural disaster alters the sisters’ lives forever.