A lord falls in love with one of his serfs and chooses to be disinherited and stripped of his title in order to marry her. Her love and gratitude extend beyond the grave.

Hinrich, the son of a feudal German landowner, falls in love with the beautiful daughter of one of his father's serfs despite opposition from both families. But when he actually offers marriage to her, this is going too far. The return of his brother Detlev, with an unscrupulous aristocratic bride of his own and a rival claim to their father's estates, proves to be the trigger for tragedy.—Igenlode Wordsmith