The Permanent Husband

Alexei Ivanovich Velchaninov is a land owner who stays in Saint Petersburg for a trial about a piece of land.

He receives a visit from Pavel Pavlovich Trusotsky, an old acquaintance who recently became a widower.

Velchaninov had an affair with Trusotsky's wife Natalia, and he realizes that he is the biological father of Liza, Trusotsky's eight-year-old daughter.

Velchaninov, who doesn't want Liza to be raised by an alcoholic, brings Liza to a foster family.