The story of a tragic entanglement: Eduard and Charlotte, who were in love during their youth, now enjoy their married life together on a picturesque estate in their more mature years. After some time, at their invitation, the captain, a childhood friend of Eduard who has fallen into misfortune through no fault of his own, and Charlotte's niece Ottilie join them. And now the game of kindred attractions begins: like chemical elements, Eduard and Ottilie, the captain and Charlotte are drawn to each other. The mental infidelity is clearly reflected in the child of the couple, who unmistakably bears the features of the two outsiders. However, while the captain and Charlotte ultimately obey moral dictates and abstain, the passion between Eduard and Ottilie is deadly. The story of a tragic entanglement between a happy couple.