Imber has a child with the dubious fiancé Erland. He is destructive and his unhealthy lifestyle subjects his family to starvation and the death of their child. Imber falls in love with Arne and a settlement between Arne and Erland unfolds.
The Nazis seize power and occupies a country. A celebrated pianist returns home from abroad during this time of national crisis and reconnects with Major von Ritter who leads the occupation and whom she had a passionate love affair in the past.
