The story begins in 1801 with lieutenant d'Hubert walking the streets of Strasbourg, searching for a fellow lieutenant called F raud who is wanted by their division general. He interrupts F raud while he is being entertained by a popular lady at her party and F raud takes the interruption and the consequent order to stay at his home personally, thinking that his honour has been injured. They end up fighting their first duel almost immediately, but...