Virginia, US, late 1860s. After northerner James travels to Virginia, he falls in love with the daughter of an affluent former slave owner, Annabelle.

The two are deeply attracted to each other, but their relationship is tainted by James' professed disdain for the society Annabelle was raised in. James views most of Southern society as beneath him, and has a distinct hatred for Annabelle's father, who represents everything he feels is wrong with the South.

Soon, tensions between James and Annabelle's father reach a breaking point. After James is drawn back into the complicated situation, he also comes into contact with another woman who seems to understand him, and who sees the world in the same way he does.

James finds himself in a situation where he must choose between Annabelle, who he loves deeply despite their differences, and the other woman, who sees the hazy Virginian countryside the same way he does.