Bored with her friends and her life as a society leader, Ninon Le Compte goes north to the Hudson Bay area to inspect trapping holdings inherited from her uncle. Frederick Van Court, who frequently proposes to her, and Flora O'Hare accompany her. Lazar, the Canadian manager of the post, openly desires both the company and Ninon for himself and sets fire to the warehouse when Ninon sends him away. When Ninon, Frederick, and Lawatha catch up with Lazar, he makes advances to Ninon; Frederick defends her and is seriously hurt. Lazar and Lawatha kill each other, and Ninon and Frederick survive the difficult return journey to find a happy future.