Set in Berlin in the eighties of the 19th century. The focus is on the upper-class family of Kommerzienrat Treibel and the family of Professor Schmidt, who live in modest circumstances. For the former, outward appearances, possessions and the resulting social standing have the importance that education and authenticity have for the latter. The friendly contact between them by no means goes so far that, from Jenny Treibel's point of view, an engagement between their children would not threaten the social order.

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