Count Azancheyev comes to his engagement in musical Pavlovsk. Katerina, the daughter of a poor Austrian doctor, falls for him at first sight. She becomes a witness to the count’s engagement and to Anna Anchukova’s as well. Katerina has no hope for reciprocity, but she can’t cope with her feelings. At night she sits at the window, watches the lights of musical Pavlovsk, and imagines herself dancing in a pair with Count Azancheyev.
Count Azancheyev returns from war and learns about his fiancée’s infidelity. He drives to Pavlovsk at night and catches his fiancée in the lover’s embrace. Count Azancheyev wants to kill them both, but stops when he hears someone singing “The Pavlovsk Waltz.” The Pavlovsk Waltz takes over his will. He follows the sound of the melody and sees the outlines of a girl. The girl is covered in snow and dances alone on a frozen lake. He hears her promise someone to love for life. Not seeing her face, Count Azancheyev gives the girl his engagement ring and leaves. Obsessed with revenge, he decides to buy himself a wife for three months and, with her by his side, appear at his wedding to Anna. His choice falls on Katerina.