Even though Elisabet's mother has remarried with the friendly dr Bärn it's impossible to cure Elisabet of her depression because she had to give away a child she gave birth to out of wedlock. Her mother and step father are the only people who know about the circumstances and they are keen to keep it secret so there is no scandal against the family.
The young widow Marianne Renfelt, ruler of Svaleholm estate, is celebrating her 25th birthday with a big party. At the party three of her suitors appear: landowner Wadenhjelm, Major Crusenschöld, and priest Neander. One person that the hostess is missing at the party is the person she likes most, her childhood friend, the disgraced lieutenant Bernt Boo.
