Only fate knows her path. Pauline Schmitz is an orphan. After the death of her uncle, she finds herself alone and takes a position as a governess in Bonn. The master of the house has ulterior motives: when Pauline defends herself against his advances, she suddenly finds herself on the street—with nothing more than what fits in a suitcase. Penniless and without connections, the worst seems imminent for Pauline. Then fortune comes to her aid: the Cologne textile manufacturer Reuther takes her into his service. And he falls in love with her. However, Julius Reuther needs a wife with money if he wants to save his business. Pauline must make a choice: will she follow her heart and live a life as a hidden mistress? Or will she forge her own path?.