In 1910, the landlord's daughter Agnes from the Steiermark gets to know the diplomat Hans. They have a short love affair and then part from one another. Hans gets sent to Beijing, where he marries and American and has a son with her. Agnes, too, has a son by Hans and moves to Vienna, where she works in a restaurant. She is still in love with Hans ...

Maria Pretorius is the leader of a counseling office in a large factory. She is completely engrossed by her career and so gives the cold shoulder to her colleague Wallrodt, who wants to marry her. Only the young Manfred Thiele is successful in winning her sympathy through his perseverence. That, however, pisses off Lyda Lehmann, who has long had the hots for him.

Melodrama about an entrepreneur and his family.