Eduard von Keyserling (1855-1918) published this novel in 1917: Princess Adelheid has moved to the estate of Gutheiden in the east of the German Empire with her three daughters after the death of her husband. Two of the daughters are married to a Russian grand duke and a German hereditary prince, respectively, although unhappily. The youngest daughter, Marie, has fallen in love with the young officer Felix. However, he is facing serious financial troubles and is only interested in a "good match." For Marie, Gutheiden now threatens to become a "golden cage" in which she remains lonely.