Warsaw, 1878. Stanisław Wokulski, a store owner returns from abroad, along with a considerable fortune. He plans to use the fortune to get close with the Łęcki family, due to his love for the young Izabela Łęcka.

The Old Salesman Ignacy Rzecki goes down memory lane, of his childhood, memories of the war, and his first meeting with Wokulski.

Wokulski begins his business with aristocracy. His newly bought horse competes in a race. Baron Krzeszowski insults miss Izabela, for which Wokulski challenges him to a duel.

Blinded by love, Wokulski fulfills every wish of Izabela Łęcka. He buys the apartament house of the beautiful girl's father at an auction, overpaying heavily.

To escape his obsession with Łęcka, Wokulski heads to Paris, where he meets Professor Geist - the extraordinary scientist.

After returning from Paris, Wokulski comes to Zasławie - the village residence of Wąsowska. There, he meets Isabella who, seeing his success and importance in high society, begins to look at him a little more favorably.

Wokulski, to please Izabela, decides to sell the store. Meanwhile, Rzecki writes about the court cases of Baroness Krzeszowska.

Wokulski joins Łęcka in her journey to Kraków. During the train ride, he falls out of love, due to Izabela's blossoming romance with her cousin Starski. Farewell, miss Iza, farewell...

Recovering from his heartbreak, Wokulski decides to leave the world behind.