January Uprising. A heavily wounded insurgent, Duke Józef Odrowąż, finds shelter in a ruined manor house of a young noblewoman, Salomea Brynicka, attended by an old servant, Szczepan. They live in a constant threat of Cossack attack. The girl and the duke fall in love. One day, Odrowąż is visited by National Government Commissioner Hubert Olbromski with an adjutant. The disagreement between the commissioner and the duke reveals deep divisions...