On the Neman

Korczyn, a small village on the Niemen River, in the 1880s. The tragedy of the January Uprising is still fresh here. Teofil Różyc, heir to a much-depleted fortune, an aristocratic drug addict with no interest in work, courted Justyna Orzelska, the beautiful niece of Benedykt Korczyński, the lord of Korczyn. Years ago, Justyna had loved Zygmunt, Benedykt's nephew, and his mother, fearing a misalliance, had not consented to the union. Although Benedykt works hard, he is experiencing financial difficulties. He is at odds with the Bohatyrowicz family, a small-town nobility who fought bravely in the uprising and were treated equally with members of distinguished families. After the uprising's collapse, the impoverished Bohatyrowicz family was reduced almost to peasants. Justyna has feelings for one of them, Jan Bohatyrowicz.

Zygmunt Korczyński, who has returned from abroad with a young wife, wants to make Justyna his mistress. Meanwhile, she falls in love with Janek Bohatyrowicz, and the feeling is mutual. Janek and his uncle Anzelm take Justyna to the grave of the family's legendary ancestors, Jan and Cecylia, as well as to the grave where her brothers, Benedykt Korczyński and Anzelm, lie buried together.

Kirło and his wife eagerly arrange for Justyna to meet Różyc. Meanwhile, Justyna helps the Bohatyrowiczes during the harvest and spends more and more time with Jan and Anselm.

Not only Justyna, but also Benedykt's son, Witold, makes a move on the Bohatyrowicz family. The family conflict deepens, especially since Mr. Korczyński and his wife have different opinions on Justyna's possible marriage to Różyc.