In a village in the early 1600s, a woman called Anne, whose mother has been thought to be a witch, grows sympathy toward an old woman. The intervention of Anne's elderly but kindly husband, Pastor Absalon saved her mother but urged on by his overbearing mother, he will not help Marte. When Absalon's child returns home and has been attracted to Anne, it's really a matter of time until she is caught up with by her family destiny.