In 1817, Anna Millman, an Englishwoman and Portuguese teacher, becomes involved with the Luso-Brazilian actor Joaquim Martinho, during the trip by ship to Brazil because of the union of Maria Leopoldina, a princess of Austrian origin, with Dom Pedro, emperor Portuguese and first regent of the Brazilian empire. Anna and Joaquim start a romance upon their arrival in the country, which is interrupted by the tricks of Thomas Johnson, an English officer who harbors a desire for Anna.