While Vojtěch is studying, Karel commits a violent act, flees the village and joins the army.
After returning from the seminary, Vojtěch meets Frantina at home, his secret unfulfilled love from his youth, who in the meantime has become his father's second wife.
In his soul, the conflict between his love feelings and his duty to his condition and to his stepmother is raging.
Soon Karel, dissolute and heartless, returns and kills Frantina during a scuffle with her father.
In the end, Charles dies, Adalbert takes refuge in a monastery to atone for his doubts and the sins of those closest to him and his father examines his conscience.