Hermine Straßmann-Witt

Axel and Bertha are a modern, emancipated artist couple in Paris. He is feminine and vain. She is financially independent, member of the women's association "Married's Women's right of ownership" and uses male nude models.

John, a young man raised by his aunt, is in love with Anna, a servant girl who is going to have his baby. He is willing to marry her but his stern aunt wants him to marry a rich girl. To separate the lovers, she arranges for her nephew to be enrolled at a university in a distant town. She then has Anna sent away to live with Torgus the coffin maker and his mother where she will be secluded until the birth of the child. Torgus, a clumsy golem-esque sort of fellow, is immediately charmed by the beautiful girl and takes pity on her. Meanwhile, Anna anxiously awaits John's return.

"The House of Pillory" - a place where the enemy women captured during wartime were imprisoned so that the people could exploit them as they wished.