Layevsky is a functionary whose life is full of boredom and the whole set of sins. His wife doesn’t fall far behind him. An appearance of Fon Koren, a strict idealist, who almost kills Layevsky on a duel, changes the latter’s life a lot. He starts to work more and waste less time, he understands that his wife is the only and the closest person for him. She understands the same. Thus tense events lead the couple to harmony with themselves and with the world around.