Shortly after the end of the First World War, Stefan Koltay, Cavalry Master of the Hussars, and his servant Janzci have become prisoners of war to the Russians and are sentenced to death.
Meanwhile, the American ambassador John Carling and his wife, the Countess Viktoria, arrive in Tokyo before journeying on to St. Petersburg. Viktoria was once engaged to the Koltay and waited for him after the war was over. Receiving a message that he had fallen in battle, she let herself be convinced by Carling, to finally marry him.
Having exchanged Janzci’s violin for their freedom, Koltay arrives at the US embassy in Tokyo seeking safe passage to Hungary. Recognising him instantly, he and Viktoria are reunited after years apart. Being introduced to him under a pseudonym and having no idea of the connection to his wife, Carling invites Koltay and Janzci to travel with them, under diplomatic protection to Russia from where they will then surely find an opportunity to safely travel on to Hungary.
However, the Russian secret service discover that Koltay and Janzci escaped from the prison camp and hone in on the pair. Viktoria is faced with the choice between her loyal husband and the man she has loved and lost once before.