The two main people in the story are Anna, a young girl, who is thought of having the ability to heal people mysteriously. Elisabeth is a young - middle aged aristocratic woman, that is disabled and puts all her hopes in meeting Anna and having her disability heal by her. A strange ambivalent relationship develops between the two women.

Elinor Petipon has been arrested as suspected of the murder of her husband. She seems to have lost memory, and confronted with the husband's body, she does not even recognize him. The hearing judge decides that she shall be detained in custody for observation.