The opening of the novel sets a profound atmosphere as it describes a retrospective view of a past rich with cultural and societal nuances, contrasting sharply with the present state of poverty and stagnation. Introduced are elements surrounding the Majoratshaus (major estate) of a noble family, now unoccupied yet maintained according to stipulations from generations before. The narrative unfolds with the arrival of the Majoratsherr, who is deeply affected by his mother's death, as he enters a world filled with ghosts from the past and complicated relationships, such as his connection to his cousin, the Leutnant, and a budding interest in a local young woman named Esther. The dynamic between their lives is underscored by melancholy as various characters grapple with their realities within the constraints of their statuses and expectations. (This is an automatically generated summary.)