Prince Nehlyudov—an intelligent and jaded aesthete and man of pleasure—horrifiedly recognizes in court the prostitute accused of poisoning a client as Katusha Maslova, the pure, gentle girl whom he seduced years ago out of boredom and then easily cast aside, pushing her down to the very bottom of life. Tormented by pangs of conscience, he is ready for anything—even to marry the condemned convict and follow her to Siberia. But will he be able to beg forgiveness? And will Katusha accept the sacrifice from the man who ruined her once…?