Гертруда могла бы быть абсолютно счастлива. Богатый и верный муж; молодой и талантливый любовник; друг юности, который до сих пор питает к ней чувства - каждый любит ее по-своему. Но Гертруде всё это уже ни к чему, она больше не нуждается в любви, постепенно теряя вместе с ней и вкус к жизни.
Anders returns to Denmark to visit his ill mom too late. Her lawyer tells him he's the illegitimate child of an estate owner. He goes there incognito and works on the big farm and falls for the maid and later for a gold digger.
Helga is on a farm, where she is seduced by her husband, Per Mortensen. As it turns out she is with child, she gets a tough time among local residents. They consider it the greatest shame that can befall a young, unmarried girl. Per refuses bargain to be the father of the child. Her parents can not afford to keep the baby, so she tries to go to court - without result. Fortunately, she gets a new duty station at Torpegaarden where she thrives. In particular, she has a good eye to his son on the farm, Gudmund. He also liked the young girl
