Helleveeg

Summary

Willem Hendriks is a Dutchman who, after the death of his wife, has emigrated to California where he runs a nightclub. His daughter Louise has been left in the care of well-to-do neighbours, Mr and Mrs van Wijck, whom little Louise believes to be her real parents. Willem meets and marries Jane, a demi-mondaine from South America, who is eager to climb the social ladder through a good marriage. Willem, wanting to see his now grown-up daughter, sells his Californian property and, together with Jane, returns to Holland. In the meantime, with the permission of her foster-parents, Louise has become engaged to a young lieutenant. Jane's manners and ill-bred behaviour are not tolerated by the circle of Willem's Dutch friends and are the cause of Louise's engagement being broken off. Under Jane's bad influence, Willem takes to drink. Jane, longing for the excitement of her former life, insists that Willem must buy a bar for her in Amsterdam. There she reveals her true character and starts a relationship with one of the waiters. She also tries to offer her innocent step-daughter to male customers, but in this she is frustrated by Willem's mentally weak but physically strong brother, who guards the girl and rescues her from the clutches of the vixen. When Jane follows Louise to the cellar to which she has fled, the girl's uncle strangles the vile woman. As a result of Jane's death, Willem is saved from his addiction to alcohol. He determines to devote himself to the happiness of his daughter. Louise's former maid goes to the lieutenant and tells him how the girl was a victim of her step-mother. When Louise recovers from a nervous breakdown, she is reunited with the lieutenant.