A difficult girl

A girl from a poor fishing family grows up with her grandmother and an orphaned boy whom they have taken in. Although the two children, Hans and Grethe, are inseparable, they eventually have to go their separate ways: Hans sets out to sea while Grethe is adopted by a countess who has been captivated by the lively, spirited child of nature. On the estate, men flock around Grethe, fighting to win her favour. But it seems as if Grethe’s heart belongs somewhere else.