Marguerite the beauty of an Austrian village loves the povertystricken Baron Erich von Statzen although her mother is opposed to the affair having been made suspicious by the hunchback Ludwig who is smitten by Marguerites charms and insanely jealous of Statzen Statzens uncle would have him marry Helena Boursch the local brewers daughter to save his dwindling estate Ordered to the front when war is declared Statzen is forced to leave without saying goodby to Marguerite