Robert Pennington, a wealthy young New Yorker, falls in love with Eugenia Blondeau, a girl from the woods of Canada, who is a guest of her aunt, Mrs. Allison, in New York. Eugenia loves him, but will not marry him until he has proven himself a "man" in the eyes of her father, Jules Blondeau. Pennington agrees to go to the fastness of the Canadian woods for the test. Eugenia gives him a letter to her father and tells him about her sister, Marie, who is her twin, and looks exactly like her. Unknown to Robert she hurries home, arriving there ahead of him. Robert is met at the railroad station by Pierre, a guide employed by Blondeau. Compelled to walk the long trail to the Blondeau house he becomes foot sore and disgruntled. His complaints arouse Pierre's contempt. Arrived at the Blondeau cabin, Robert undergoes a physical examination at the hands of Blondeau, who tells him he is "soft," but that he will give him one month of primitive life to better his physical condition.