Cecile Ste. Marie is the daughter of a rich plantation owner and a slave woman from Haiti who was taken from her dead father's body during the uprising of the slaves. Josette, who raised her as her own, brought her to New Orleans. Later, Cecile entered into an arrangement with a white gentleman to care for her and provide her with a livelihood. His name is Magloir Dazincourt. He is sixty years of age and passes away. His son-in-law, Philippe, takes over looking after Cecil. She bears him two children, Marcel and Marie, although she clearly favors Marcel and does everything she can for the welfare of the boy. Often, Cecile becomes cold with her daughter as she is jealous of the light skin that her daughter is born with.