In 1811 Napoleon's troops have the Tirol in their power, Emperor Francis I joins the former enemy. But the people fight on: the volunteers are entrenched in the mountains, fighting for their country. Having just escaped the murderous French, Toni hits on a plan: he wants to infiltrate the Tirolean military – they sympathize with the cause - from within and to rouse them against the French occupation. He signs on as recruit with a regiment in which Marie, a war foundling, has been brought up by the men like a daughter. She says she has 1,500 fathers. Toni already knows her: he recently saved her life in the mountains. Marie's good mood vanishes when a marquise arrives who has found out that she is the girl's aunt. She insists on taking Marie back to her chateau in order to give her an education in keeping with her station (and to find her an aristocratic husband). Marie is not too keen on a life of ease and splendour, but the prospect of a reunion with Toni and the presence of Annette, the maid, restrict the damage. The freedom fighters free the Tirol, Marie turns her back on the aristocracy and returns to the people with whom she belongs.