The story of a thwarted friendship and a thwarted love -- the setting Germany -- the characters, three people, a youth, gifted, rich, with life made too easy for him and success in friendship, love and his musical career there for the taking; a second youth, introverted, morbidly sensitive, having to make his way against odds; and the girl they both loved, and who loved one and married the other. A story of relentless Fate, of frustration. Interesting reading.