The young Monika Dahlhoff returns from the USA after two years. As soon as she arrives, she learns that her father wants to sell his traditional stud farm, because he has quarreled with the members of the equestrian club. Accordingly annoyed is the old Dahlhoff, when his daughter just fell in love with the son of his greatest enemy. In the annual "Hubertusjagd" there is a dramatic encounter between the men.
The sculptor Andreas promised his seriously ill childhood friend before her death that he would take care of her daughter Heidemarie. While his application for custody is going through the authorities, the young girl comes to her uncle and his wife. Both treat Heidemarie badly so she spends most of the time with Andreas and the hunchback beggar boy Peter. Finally, the time has come: Andreas is granted custody and also takes Peter in with him.
