The film's plot is about a diabolical, Victorian criminal husband who systematically and methodically attempts to drive his bedeviled wife mad. The film's impressive photography is expressionistic, shadowy, and menacing - as befits the film's plot. After the credits play under a flickering gaslight, the film opens with a short sequence to set the scene. She is led from the residence in black mourning clothes and taken by horse-drawn carriage from the house. Free yourself from the past and forget your singing too for a while.
Happiness is better than art.
Her love is for the suave, outwardly charming, amorous musician Gregory, but she is uncertain and untrusting of her romantic feelings for him after a courtship of only two weeks. They never found out who killed her. They never even found a motive. The tragic recollection of the unsolved murder case where her aunt was murdered is un-nerving to the meek and disconcerted Paula. Gregory has preceded her there, unable to become separated from her for even a week.