Part 1

Prince Myshkin returns from Switzerland to Russia and enters the house of Elanchins. There he first sees the portrait of Nastasya Filippovna, whose beauty makes an indelible impression on him.

Part 2

Rogozhin offers Natasya Filippovna a hundred thousand rubles for her to become his mistress.

Part 3

Natasya Filippovna burns the hundred thousand rubles given to her by Rogozhin.