Grand Duke Konstanty marries Countess Joanna Grudzińska. However, Joanna still loves Major Łukasiński, and she agreed to the marriage out of a sense of patriotic duty. Łukasiński is arrested. The November Uprising breaks out. The conspirators capture Belweder Palace. Joanna hides Konstanty from them.

1863. Bloody battles are raging. A squadron of dragoons is pursuing an insurgent. It is the wounded Prince Odrowąż. With his last ounce of strength, he makes his way to the home of the administrator Brynicki. Mija Brynicka, the steward's daughter, risks her own life and compromises her honor to hide him. Odrowąż finds caring attention and slowly recovers. Love blossoms between Mija and Odrowąż. Lost in ecstasy, they dream of a liberated homeland and marriage. Unfortunately, the prince's mother's selfishness stands in the way of their love, as she does not allow this misalliance. She takes her son away, leaving Mija in boundless despair.