InsmallczechtownnamedJilemniceliveunfortunate,butbraveandjovialwomanŠtěpaKiliánová,whoseonlydesirewastofillthevoidinhervirginlife.Indespairandexcessivetrust,shemarriedasardonic,reclusiveman,formerlieutenantandgamblerPavelMalina,whoseonlywishwasfinallyfoundpeaceandforgettingthepast.Theylivedthroughunrequitedlove,dislikeanddisappointment.Butnooneknewthathergroombegintoshowsignsofcerebraldisease,whichinthecomingyearsengulfhissanity.