The novel begins by introducing the colonel Beate Ekenstedt, of the Löwensköld family from Hedeby, later married and living in Karlstad.

He is expected to become a great man, but when he studies in Uppsala the fine results do not materialize and he instead becomes deeply religious through his friendship with a pietist, which tears at the rest of the family as his strict views almost ruin his sister's wedding.

When the rich mill owner Schagerström travels past the rectory one day, Charlotte jokes that she would marry him if he proposed.

She is the daughter of Malvina Spaak from the previous book, and as it turns out, she is the one who embodies the deadly curse that rests on the Löwensköld family.

Karl-Arthur breaks the engagement and swears that he will marry the first woman he meets on the road, which happens to be the valley girl Anna Svärd.

Thea continues her work and spreads rumors about Charlotte, who, out of love for Karl-Arthur, refuses to defend herself but takes all the blame for the break-up.