Chudé švadleně Kamile zemře matka a dívka musí opustit domek, v němž žily. Syn školního inspektora Jírek touží po průmyslníkově dceři Jarče, ta však miluje učitele Egona Filipa. Na synovu žádost inspektor Filipa přeloží. Jírek nakonec Jarču svede. Kamila najde šťastnou náhodou nové uplatnění jako chůva, ale otec rodiny, kde pracuje, ji svádí a paní domu Kamilu vyžene. Zoufalou dívku pronásleduje tulák, zachrání ji učitel Filip. Kamila se stane hospodyní na jeho statku. Jírek zrádně opustí Jarču, která s ním čeká dítě. Otec těhotnou Jarču vyžene z domu a nešťastná žena hledá smrt na kolejích. V poslední chvíli ji zachrání Kamila a vezme ji s sebou na Filipův statek. Jarča porodí dítě, ale sama po porodu zemře. Filip netušil, komu vlastně poskytl přístřeší - Jarču uvidí až mrtvou. Po čase se Filip s Kamilou vezmou.

   The mother of poor seamstress Kamila dies and the girl must leave her home. The son of the school inspector, Jírek, yearns for Jarča, the daughter of an industrialist; she, however, has fallen in love with teacher Egon Filip. At his son's request, the inspector has Filip transferred. In the end, Jírek seduces Jarča. Kamila, by a happy coincidence, finds a new position as a nanny but the father of the family for which she works, tries to seduce her and the wife throws Kamila out. The despairing girl is followed by a beggar and she is rescued by the teacher, Filip. Kamila then becomes a house-keeper on his farm. Jírek disloyally abandons Jarča who is expecting his baby. The father throws Jarča out of his house and the wretched girl intends killing herself on the railway lines. She is saved by Kamila just, in time Kamila takes her home to Filip's farm. Jarča bears a child after some time but she dies during childbirth. Filip does not know for whom he has provided shelter - and he only sees Jarča after her death. After some time Filip marries Kamila.