Elsbeth Siegurth

In Bremen, a ship is launched, which was built by Thomas Holk. That evening, he gets to know the middle-aged widow Ada Rasmus, who flirts heavily with him. The next day, Thomas travels to Hallbad on vacation and the two lose sign of each other. In this rural idyll, he gets to know Krist and falls in love with her. He takes her back with him to Bremen and his aunt introduces her into society. Her natural charms enchants everyone and the beautiful widow Ada swears revenge. She finds a way to bring Ada into a painful situation with Dr. von Cremona, and, to top it all off, a man’s coat is found in her room.

Johann, the trusted valet of Count Zirndorf, has an affair with chambermaid Marie, but this liaison ends, as does the count's marriage. Years later trouble ensues when the count's daughter falls for young Hans who might be her brother.