InsmallczechtownnamedJilemniceliveunfortunate,butbraveandjovialwomanŠtěpaKiliánová,whoseonlydesirewastofillthevoidinhervirginlifeIndespairandexcessivetrust,shemarriedasardonic,reclusiveman,formerlieutenantandgamblerPavelMalina,whoseonlywishwasfinallyfoundpeaceandforgettingthepastTheylivedthroughunrequitedlove,dislikeanddisappointmentButnooneknewthathergroombegintoshowsignsofcerebraldisease,whichinthecomingyearsengulfhissanity