Lovers are torn apart by a noble's desire for the female half of the couple.
Countess Hedvig von Wärnfelt (born Wärnfelt), receives her orphan's granddaughter Marianne to educate her in tukt and her reverence. Marianne is an iron and vibrant young girl, who also carries theater grills. The Countess is staggered over her uneducated facials and treats her severely, hard and joyless.
The rich Baron Von Meislingen dreams of being a poet-- Unfortunately, he has no talent what so ever. In one of his apartments lives the talented but poor poet Peter Långhår. Von Meislingen steals his latest work from him and publishes it under his own name. 'His' poems becomes a success and Von Meislingen becomes regarded as one of the greatest living poets.
