A TV adaptation of a novel by Austrian writer Stefan Zweig. The tragic love story of a lame girl and a lieutenant provides a framework for reflection on human compassion. A young officer wants to gain status and is looking for a "good match." He insinuates himself into the home of a local wealthy man, partly because he loves his niece. Under unfortunate circumstances, he discovers that the wealthy man's daughter has been paralyzed from the waist down for some time. She takes the officer's apologies and frequent visits as a sign of affection. She believes him and begins to hope again that she will recover. This is also so that she can be an equal partner to him, like other women. At first, the officer plays along.

This adaptation of the classic 18th century novel depicts the carefree life of a noble society that has lost its historical relevance and perspective. The young nobleman de Meilcour narrates his entry into social life and the uncertainties he experiences. He searches for pure love, but does not find it in a corrupt world. He encounters vice, coldness, cynicism and pretense.