It was not love, but necessity that brought Anna to accept Gersau, the great engineer, and to marry him. Her father's death had brought financial difficulties, and Anna was a young lady of culture who loved to be surrounded by beautiful things. Therefore when the rich and renowned Gersau proposed to her, she promised to become his wife, though it broke the heart of Roland, her chum since childhood. Roland was a promising young engineer and he aroused the jealousy of Gersau by the way he ran after the woman he loved, even when she was a wife. But the friendship between the two was renewed and strengthened when Roland, avoiding all efforts to detain him, dashed into Gersau's burning residence and saved some valuable plans. The house had been set afire through the carelessness of Gersau, who, tortured by jealousy, had left a light under a retort in his laboratory in order to go to watch over his wife. The result was an explosion and soon the whole building was in flames. Roland, who rescued the precious plans, only saved himself from death by jumping from a high window, and sustaining several injuries. A little while after, when Roland recovered somewhat from his injuries, the great docks, Gersau's master work, were opened. But while the engineer was making the opening speech the dam burst. Tons of water dashed over the dock, washing away the fine banquet which had been laid out and overwhelming the people who attended the opening ceremony. Many were able to save themselves by clinging to the banqueting table, but Gersau was swept away by the surging waters and only rescued with great difficulty. This terrible catastrophe drove him mad. His wife's anguish is indescribable, for she had learned to love the quiet, strong husband she had chosen for other reasons than affection. Then they took the demented man away. They put him in an asylum and in agony of mind she visited him there, but he did not recognize her and would have nothing to do with her. There was nothing else for her to do but join in a wild round of pleasure seeking in order to try and forget. After a while of careful attention at the asylum the great engineer showed signs of recovery. Gradually his right senses returned to him, and eventually the medical men pronounced him quite well in mind and body and gave the order for his release. It was on his way back that he saw what sent a thrill of disgust through him; his wife in the gay throng of merry-makers with Roland. The old jealousy returned, and he followed them and watched till he saw Roland pleading his love. He could stand it no longer and he burst in on them and drove the traitor away. Then he left, a prey to mixed emotions. Tearing off her finery Anna followed, pleaded forgiveness and confessed her love, and was forgiven.