This wonderful novel tells the story of Cierva María de Todos los Ángeles, a twelve-year-old girl and the unwanted daughter of the Marquis of Casalduero and his second wife, the lascivious mulatto Bernarda Cabrera. Because of her mother's hatred of Cierva and the Marquis's father's lack of interest in the child, she is raised by the Negro slave Dominga de Adefeneto. Surrounded by Negro slaves who adhere to Yoruba traditions, the child lives happily. But Cierva's fate changes when she is bitten by a dog. When the Marquis learns of this incident, he takes his daughter to the Jewish doctor Abrenuncio, an enlightened atheist. He finds that the child does not have rabies, but rather a lack of happiness. The Marquis later goes to see the bishop and confesses his skepticism and loss of faith, and tells him about his daughter's condition. The bishop, a representative of the Inquisition, confirms that the child is possessed by the devil and that the demon must be exorcised for her salvation. After this visit, the Marquis decides to put her in the Santa Clara Convent.