When Anna's fortune is lost, she is forced to become a maid for music publisher De Malapert. Intrigued by her employer, she spends her free time conjuring up ways to impress him. As Anna's obsession deepens, however, she begins...
However, De Malapert remains unaware of her attentions. Working in the shop by day and transcribing opera scores by night, he is distracted only by the occasional visit from his flamboyant friend Everard Borgholt.