Through the fault of the party girl Maria, the oligarch's wife finds herself in the center of a scandal. Fearing for her life, Maria goes into hiding and ends up in a monastery.

Father Varsonofy decides to send Maria to a convent. Novice Yura wants to find out who his mother is and what happened to her.

Maria is trying to help a sick nun Panteleimon. Yura is threatened by the oligarch's henchmen who are looking for Maria.

The oligarch's people come to the monastery for Maria. Yura goes to the city to take exams and gets acquainted with the life of his peers.

Yura goes to a hermitage and takes a vow of silence. Maria remembers how she dreamed of escaping from the provinces and becoming a model.

Disappointed in the righteous life, Yura goes to the bar to catch up. Varsonofy tells the whole truth about his birth.