On the Neman

Korczyn is a small village on the Neman River in the 1880s. The memory of the January Uprising still lingers. Teofil Różyc, heir to a dwindling fortune and uninterested in work, courts Justyna Orzelska, the attractive niece of Benedykt Korczyński, lord of Korczyn. Years earlier, Justyna had a mutual love with Zygmunt, Benedykt’s nephew, but Zygmunt’s mother opposed the match, fearing a misalliance. Though Benedykt works hard, he faces financial troubles and is estranged from the Bohatyrowicz family—gentry from the backwoods who fought valiantly in the uprising and were once treated as equals to noble families. After the uprising’s failure, the Bohatyrowiczes were reduced to near-peasant status. Justyna falls in love with one of them, Jan Bohatyrowicz.

Zygmunt Korczyński wants to make Justyna his mistress. Meanwhile, she falls in love—mutually—with Jan Bohatyrowicz. Her first visit to the Bohatyrowicz settlement becomes a major event: some welcome her warmly, others voice grievances against the manor. Anzelm and Jan Bohatyrowicz take Justyna to the graves of their legendary ancestors, Jan and Cecylia, as well as the resting place of Benedykt Korczyński’s brother and Anzelm’s brother, both fallen in the uprising. Meanwhile, Teofil Różyc asks his cousin Kirłowa to discreetly find out if Justyna would consider marrying him.

Kirło and his wife enthusiastically try to matchmake Justyna with Różyc, but she finds him repulsive. Instead, she helps the Bohatyrowicz family during the harvest. She learns that Janka dreams of marrying her son to the wealthy neighbor, Jadwiga Dowmuntówna. Despite this, Justyna spends more and more time with Jan and Anzelm. Aunt Marta urges her to marry Różyc, though she herself once made the mistake of rejecting the man she loved. Upon hearing of Różyc’s intentions, Zygmunt Korczyński travels to Korczyn. He asks Justyna for forgiveness and insists their youthful love can be rekindled.

Not only Justyna, but also Benedykt’s son Witold, feels drawn to the Bohatyrowicz family. The family conflict deepens, especially since Mr. Korczyński and his wife disagree about Justyna’s potential marriage to Różyc. Justyna and Witold attend the wedding of one of the Bohatyrowicz girls. That night, Jan and Justyna confess their love, and Benedykt finally reconnects with his son. The next day, the Kirłos arrive at Korczyn with a marriage proposal on behalf of Różyc. Justyna rejects it, announcing she is already engaged to Jan. Mrs. Emilia has a hysterical fit, old Mr. Orzelski is devastated—but nothing can shake Justyna’s happiness.