Een danstragedie

Summary

The story - as far as described in reviews - tells how Meina, the wife of the struggling violinist Mario, believes that she is sufficiently talented to make a name for herself as a dancer and that, when success comes, she will be able to support her husband and baby daughter. Her ambition is thwarted, however, by the jealousy of her husband in whose veins Spanish blood runs. This jealousy is fanned by the critical comments of his mother. In desperation, Meina leaves home, husband and child and seeks the protection of a gentleman who has promised to help her achieve her aim. At first she finds work in a cabaret, but soon, with her exotic dances, Meina becomes a celebrity. The money she earns is sent to her home, but returned to her by her meddling mother-in-law who does everything in her poser to prevent a reconciliation. After some years, Mario's mother, the cause of all the misery, dies. Mario, reduced to abject poverty, has become a street-musician who, with his young daughter, wanders from town to town in search of work. One day he comes to a villa where a garden-party is in progress. There he sees his wife dancing her newest creation. Mario hears from Meina's protector that, although he loves her, Meina has always gently rejected his amorous advances and remained faithful to her husband. However, it is only when their daughter seems to be dying that Mario and Meina are happily reunited.