The story begins with an uptown idyll. Widowed Mrs. Saárdy and her daughter, Hedda live in seclusion. András, a decent carpenter apprentice courts to the girl. Their idyllic relationship is disturbed by an unexpected storm. Hedda longing for splendour and glory meets young Count Relle one day. The adventuresome young man coaxes the girl, sets up an elegant apartment for her. Hedda's happiness, however, does not last for long because the count is re-conquered by his former sweetheart, Alice.