Factory wife Jenny Treibel plans to engage her youngest, softened and weak son Leopold to teacher's daughter Corinna Schmidt. She wants to cross the plans of her daughter-in-law Helene, who wants to marry her younger sister to the brother-in-law. At the engagement party, Corinna learns from maid Luise that Leopold has a child with her. Corinna dispenses with the wedding, but for Mrs. Treibel, a marriage between Leopold and Luise is out of the question... The old Count Petöfy worships actress Franziska Franz, who would fit better with his nephew Egon in terms of age. He introduces her to his house and marries her. His sister, the strict Judith of Gundolskirchen, approves this step despite the age-appropriate and social distance. However, after a love relationship between the young Count Egon and Franziska, everything changes...