Like evil fate is haunting the Van Dorn family, which is notorious in the area. The daughter's serious illness only adds to the gloominess of the characters of the estate's inhabitants. Angela Wingate arrives to replace the governess who disappeared several weeks ago, and from the very first steps she is enveloped in an atmosphere of hostility and uncertainty. Attempts to help the patient are met with indifference at best, but this is the only way to resolve the mystery.