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....
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...