During a long train journey, Posdnyschew, who has murdered his wife but was acquitted due to justified jealousy, tells the other passengers the story of his catastrophically failed marriage: When his wife, a great beauty, can no longer have children after an illness, Posdnyschew perceives sexual intercourse with her as immoral and indecent. Instead, his wife finds fulfillment in making music together with a violinist. However, Posdnyschew suspects a love affair behind this and murders his wife in a fit of raging jealousy.