Russia in the 19th century. The young Lieutenant Stanislaus Kovolski is in constant financial difficulties. One day he meets a fortune-teller, who prophesies that the great blessing is to expect.
Helmuth von Rhaden is a second lieutenant who is bored with his time in the army. He therefore resigns from it. But when he learns that his regiment must leave for the African colonies, he requests to be reinstated, even if it is in a lower position.
Two sisters get a letter from their third sister just after coming from the third sister's funeral. It informs them that a nobleman has ruined her life and is responsible for her death...
Princess Melani wants to find out more about her husband-to-be and impersonates a maid. Her fiancé pretends to be a secretary. An addlebrained servant is ordered to play the count. His first official act is to pass a pay rise for himself. In the meantime his highness / the secretary is flirting...
Such a soul torments young composer Georg von Wergenthin, around whom the author creates a precise picture of the fin de siècle, its neuroses and its politics. Georg starts a relationship with a young singer, but does not confess to her in front of his friends, even when she becomes pregnant by...
