Attracted by an unusual job advertisement, Señorita Prim, an independent, educated young woman, travels to San Ireneo de Arnois to "assist a polite man and his books as a librarian". Although Prudencia Prim, who loves books and is herself on the run from the roar of the world, has the good feeling that this is the day she has been waiting for so long. But how lastingly her life will change, she does not know. Little by little the secret of the picturesque town and its happy inhabitants unfolds to her, and Señorita Prim realizes what she has missed so much so far.