[1][2][3][4] The film begins with a party, one taking place in a beautiful, elaborately decorated garden area, among wealthy citizens, exquisitely dressed and all exhibiting their best manners.
She is born into a family of considerable wealth, but she is rather bored and tired of this luxurious but all-too-safe and secluded life.
Vera is in her room while the party filled with people of polite society are mingling and dancing at her mother's estate.
He writes Vera a letter, asking her to come back to help with his worsening medical condition- which is a complete lie.
First, she tries to tell him outright, but he won't let her finish and only says “Whatever may have happened in your past, nothing will shake my love.” In the second attempt, she writes him a letter, but he is not at home to receive it, and so she burns it.
They are happy, kissing and talking in their home, when Vera decides that she must tell him the truth about what happened to her.
Prince Dol'skii turns to drinking and fast women to cope with his sadness.
The prince leaves Russia to find her, but after two years his search does not turn up any results.