A bankrupt landowner, Redwitz, emigrates to America fleeing his card debts and leaving his daughter in the care of his neighbour, the Baroness Rajk, at the cost of the family jewels. When the jewels are gone, Veronika is chased away from the house. She grows up to be a beautiful young woman and marries a gifted, but poor composer, George Tishler. The young man falls ill because of hard work and his treatment is financed by Baroness Rajk on the condition that they do not tell Veronika’s now rich father about her marriage and child. Moving into her father’s house, Veronika complies with this wish for the sake of her husband, but soon grows to enjoy the role of a spoilt and celebrated girl and ceases missing her previous, poorer lifestyle. She pays for her infidelity with the loss of her child.

The story begins with an uptown idyll. Widowed Mrs. Saárdy and her daughter, Hedda live in seclusion. András, a decent carpenter apprentice courts to the girl. Their idyllic relationship is disturbed by an unexpected storm. Hedda longing for splendour and glory meets young Count Relle one day. The adventuresome young man coaxes the girl, sets up an elegant apartment for her. Hedda's happiness, however, does not last for long because the count is re-conquered by his former sweetheart, Alice.