The successful shipowner Georg Behrendsen, who lives in South America, travels to Germany for merger negotiations. The negotiations are well underway in the house of Senator Kersten as Wilhelm, the senator’s son, starts making eyes at Behrendsen’s wife Irene. Both end up falling in love with one another and decide to marry after Irene gives the boot to Georg. Wilhelm’s father presents his son with a difficult decision to make: if he marries Irene, he will not be allowed to take over the running of the Kersten Shipping Company.