
ThenoblefamilydelaPortelivesatcastleMedan.AfterthelostheirAugustreturnsunexpectedly,countessHerm,mother-in-lawofyoungerbrotherJohann,fearsfortheinheritanceofherdaughter.Togethertheyantagonizethebrothers.Duringabrawl,Johanngetsshotbyaccident.Augustleaveshishomeforgood,butbeforehandhehideshispapersofidentityinthecastle.Johann’soldestsonisthenextrightfulheir,butduetohisexcessivedeformityheislockedawaytomakeroomforhisyoungerbrotherGert.Yearslater,thedyingAugustconfessestohisdaughterAggatheirtrueidentity.ShetravelstocastleMedantofindthehiddenpapersandtakepossessionofherlegacy.OnherarrivalthecountessinstructshernephewGerttocourtAggafortheprotectionoftheestate.However,shefallsinlovewithneighbourMagnusandrejectsGert.HencecountessHermandhernephewforgeaplantosetGert’sbrother,whoiskeptatthecastlelikeananimal,ontheuninvitedguest.

