Historical melodrama based on Stefan Zweig's novel.

Lieutenant Aleksandr Grigoryev serves with an Uhlan regiment stationed in a remote town in Ukraine at the turn of the 20th century. The officers in the regiment are exhausted and spend their free time in a local tavern. One day, whilst there, the town’s pharmacist introduces the lieutenant to Councillor Stakhovsky, a wealthy local man whose niece, Nina has enchanted Aleksandr with her beauty. Aleksandr receives an invitation to a party at the Stakhovskys where he dances with Nina all evening until he suddenly remembers that he has still not invited Lera, Stakhovsky’s daughter to dance.