Mladi kmet Ben Quick išče delo. Pot ga popelje v mestece ob reki Mississippi, kjer izve, da Will Varner oddaja kmetijo. Ko prispe na Varnerjev dom, ga tam hladno sprejme Willova hčerka Clara. Punca noče imeti z Benom nobenega opravka, zato pokliče brata Jodyja. Jody je v očetovi odsotnosti poglavar hiše, drugače pa se očeta neznansko boji in se neprestano trudi, da bi si pridobil njegovo naklonjenost.

A wealthy Italian household is turned upside down when a handsome stranger arrives, seduces every family member and then disappears. Each has an epiphany of sorts, but none can figure out who the seductive visitor was or why he came.

A charming and ambitious young man finds many ways to raise himself through the ranks in business and social standing - some honest, some not quite so. If he can just manage to avoid a certain very predatory woman.