The outbreak of war ends the love of Mária and Endre. Mária is still expecting the return of Endre, father of Anna, her daughter, who was born while her father was away. The war is long over. A few decades elapse, and a letter is accidentally discovered in a post office building now under reconstruction.
Count Vághelyi Gusztáv is now a member of the Carthusan order. He has to be there at her ex-sweetheart's, Betti's deathbed. Longing for penitence, he recalls his life so far.
In an outbreak of a rightful anger, Péter Keresztessy kills Ágota, his deceased wife's cousin, who, in an attempt to become her successor, speaks ill of her thus trying to malign her character. Péter is prepared for capital punishment but is sentenced for life. 15 years later he is pardoned.
