Based on a short story by Anton Chekhov, this drama centers around a desire for revenge and the tragedy of a star-crossed love. After a general ruins some men under him in punishment for a rebellion, a friend of the broken men vows revenge. The friend, a naval officer, takes a job as a valet in the general's son's house. While he plots his revenge, the son has an affair with a woman whom the valet begins to love. She is discarded after becoming pregnant, and the valet has his own troubles; he has contracted tuberculosis. Sick and unable to follow through on his plans for vengeance, he leaves for France with the pregnant woman hoping to declare his love and seek a cure for his illness.

Дворянин, революционер-народоволец, готовясь к теракту — убийству богатого царского сановника, поступает лакеем к его сыну — Георгию Ивановичу Орлову. Тот и не подозревает, что новый слуга собирается убить его отца. Но постепенно, живя в этом доме, герой фильма разочаровывается в своих убеждениях и приходит к мысли о тихой жизни в глуши, в имении…