Aels,arichandtempermentalwomanfromtheNorth,movestoHamburgShelivesinamansoinbesidesthenewlymarriedcouple,AlrechtandOctaviaThefriendshipbetweenAelsandAlbrechtdoesnotdisturbtheharmonyofthismarriageButsoon,Aelshasareoccurrenceofatropicaldisease,andbecausesheisconfinedtobed,AlbrechtridesbyeachdayonhishorsetoherwindowandinquiresastoherhealthWhen,eventually,hegetssickwithanepidemic,hiswifetakesoverthisdearserviceandgreetsAelsinherridingclothes,pretendingtobeAlbrechtandcomfortingthesickwoman,soastonotworryheraboutAlbrechtalsobeingsickAels,however,isnotcompletelyfooledandendsupdyingofabrokenheartItturnsout,shecannotlivewithoutAlbrecht’slovesomethingAlbrechtonlyfindsaboutfromherlastlettertohimbeforeherdeath