Even though Elisabet's mother has remarried with the friendly dr Bärn it's impossible to cure Elisabet of her depression because she had to give away a child she gave birth to out of wedlock. Her mother and step father are the only people who know about the circumstances and they are keen to keep it secret so there is no scandal against the family.

The famous lawyer Juhani Leno lives in a gloomy castle far into the dark forests. As a son of a fool and an anonymous gentleman he had a bleak upbringing. Ever since then, all he is doing is relegated to the humanity that treated him so patronizing. His whole soul is obscured by a furious hatred.