en Cuevana 3. The young Ernst Leuchtenthal is planning to travel to the USA for a year to study. Before he leaves, his father asks him for a meeting. Consul Leuchtenthal wants to get his son a "good" marriage before he disappears overseas. The old man has the very young, attractive Christine von Auffenberg in mind, who runs a breeding farm for chinchillas. This would fit in well with the consul's business, as he earns good money as a fur trader. Ernst is not too keen on marrying a woman his father has chosen for him, especially as he does not love Christine. In the local children's home he meets the light-blonde Marianne, and for him it is like love at first sight.