The Unknown Mothers

Stáza Šimková is in love with young Jan. However, Jan leaves her and Stáza confesses to her father that she is expecting a baby. Her father banishes her and Stáza, in desperation, leaves her new born daughter at a home for foundlings because she does not have the means to bring her up. Later, she works as an accountant for factory owner, Janota and, in time, she marries him. Twelve years of happy marriage later, Stáza is plagued by her conscience and turns to her brother, Václav for help. By chance she then meets Marie, a twelve-year-old boarder at Kalin's poultry farm and recognises her to be her daughter. Stáza is very anxious about Marie's future, and indeed her own and Václav magnanimously offers to bring Marie up himself. At this time Jan appears. For years he has been looking for Stáza and the child. Janota finds out the truth about his wife's past and wants to drive Stáza out of his home but Václav stands up for her and reminds Janota of the twelve happy years of marriage he has spent with Stáza. Janota accepts his wife back and her daughter. Jan secures Václav a position in Vienna.