In his only novel, published in 1939, Stefan Zweig once again varies the theme of betrayed love known from his stories: Young Lieutenant Hofmiller visits the Hungarian estate of Kekesfalva. There, he meets Edith, the paralyzed daughter of the host. They grow closer and even become engaged. However, Hofmiller has misjudged his feelings - what he believes to be love is actually just pity. When he denies the engagement in front of friends, Edith's last hope for rescue from her desperate situation collapses.