Perrine Paindavoine is a 13-year-old girl of mixed French and Anglo-Indian heritage. After her French father, Edmond, dies in Bosnia, she travels across Europe with her Anglo-Indian mother, Marie, their dog Baron, and their donkey Palikare. They sustain themselves with a traveling photography business. Perrine's journey aims to reach her paternal grandfather, Vulfran Paindavoine, in Maraucourt, France, unaware of Vulfran's longstanding estrangement from Edmond due to his disapproval of their marriage.

Providing emotional support for her grieving mother and managing their business, Perrine demonstrates maturity and resourcefulness. Fluent in French and English, she exhibits resilience, compassion, and a strong sense of responsibility, often prioritizing others despite her hardships. As Marie's health declines during travel, Perrine shoulders greater burdens, selling possessions like Palikare to afford medicine. Marie dies in Paris after revealing Vulfran's potential hostility and advising Perrine to earn his love before revealing her identity.

Orphaned, Perrine travels alone with Baron to Maraucourt, enduring severe adversity including near-starvation, exploitation by a dishonest baker, and life-threatening illness, testing but reinforcing her resolve to honor her parents. Arriving in Maraucourt, she adopts the alias "Aurelie" to seek work at Vulfran's factory. Starting as a rail cart pusher, her language skills earn promotions to interpreter and then Vulfran's personal secretary. Her efficiency, loyalty, and quiet compassion win Vulfran's trust and affection, though she silently endures his derogatory comments about her mother, fearing rejection if discovered.

As Vulfran's indispensable companion, Perrine supports him through grief upon learning of Edmond's death. Her care during his subsequent emotional and physical collapse aids his recovery. Vulfran deduces her identity from her resemblance to Edmond and unwavering devotion, confirmed legally. In the climax, Vulfran undergoes risky eye surgery to see her face, fully embracing her as his granddaughter. Her influence inspires him to improve workers' welfare by building dormitories and a daycare center.

Perrine embodies perseverance and empathy. Her journey transforms her from a protected child into a self-reliant individual who bridges familial rifts and advocates for community betterment. Her core philosophy, inherited from Marie—"If you wish to be loved, you must first love others"—guides her actions, culminating in her integration into the Paindavoine family and Maraucourt community.