The film is set in the interwar period. Jerzy, a young journalist, spends his vacation alone, kayaking on rivers and lakes. One day, he stops for the night near an old manor house. He learns from the local residents that the once magnificent residence has now fallen into complete disrepair. Even Miss Gabrysia had to be taken out of boarding school because there was no money for her further education. To Jerzy's surprise, the local heiress appears in his tent at night. Complaining about the boredom of provincial life, begging and flirting, she obtains a promise from the journalist to help her escape "into the world."