At the start of the story, the protagonist is living near Toulon in 1835, hoping to immerse himself in writing a significant drama, but finds himself distracted by the stunning Mediterranean landscape. As he reflects on his ambitions, he encounters a group of convicts selected as his rowers for a newly acquired boat—which he had requested from the port commandant. Among them is Gabriel Lambert, a convict whose demeanor piques the protagonist's curiosity, leading him to wonder about his past and circumstances that brought him to this point. The opening sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Gabriel Lambert's character and the relationships that develop in the backdrop of societal judgment and personal redemption. (This is an automatically generated summary.)