1912. The steamer sails for Europe. At night, two men meet in the shadow of the side. A frank conversation takes place between them, in which one of them, imbued with confidence in the other, tries to pour out his soul to him and tells an incident that recently happened to him. He talks about how, having signed a long-term contract, he leaves Holland and goes to a remote tropical village to practice medicine. Being in a foreign land for a long time, he falls into despair. One day a certain noble lady comes to him and asks him to secretly terminate her pregnancy, while offering a large sum of money. However, in a fit of overwhelming feelings, he refuses money and demands another meeting with her after hours. Being humiliated, the woman runs out of the room. Repenting of his act, the doctor rushes after her, but does not have time to catch up with her. Later he learns that she is the wife of a major merchant and comes from a noble English family. The husband has been in America for a long time and should return soon. For a long time he remains in a state of obsession, pursues her everywhere, trying to correct his mistake and help her hide her infidelity to her husband.