We begin with a Hallow Eve party at Baron Von Landshort’s, where the young people are peeling apples. They throw a long peeling over their shoulders, and the initial of the thrower’s sweetheart Hilda’s peeling forms V.A. Her father, the baron, tells how his daughter was betrothed when a little tot to the son of his old friend Van Altenberg. Naturally Hilda would like to know her betrothed, and at the suggestion of one of the girls consults a witch, who tells her, “When midnight tolls, look in the old mirror and you will see the picture of a young Hessian officer.” Highly pleased, she hugs the mirror to her heart. In the meantime, young Van Altenberg, a disbanded Hessian officer, on the way to meet his fiancée of his infant days, Hilda Von Landshort, meets a brother officer, Herman, at the inn. Journeying together they are attacked by “Skinners.” Van Altenberg is mortally wounded. Dying, he begs his comrade to announce his death to Hilda. The Baron Von Landshort and family, including Hilda are impatiently awaiting the arrival of the young fiancé (whom they’ve never seen since childhood), to attend the betrothal feast. Herman arrives to impart the sad news, is mistaken for Von Altenberg, and is not permitted to explain, but is seated at the side of Hilda, as the long expected fiancé. As the feast progresses, he finds Hilda very sweet, and falls desperately in love with her, and then dare not disclose his real identity. The fact that the guests are so impressed with the baron’s ghost story, gives him an idea of how he can withdraw discreetly, so he tells the baron he is awaited at the cathedral. After he leaves, the guests, horror-stricken, think him a spectre. Poor Hilda is heartbroken. A few days later Hilda fails to appear at morning prayers. Her aunt goes to call her and finds that the bird has flown, carried away by the spectre, her relatives think, and a letter to the baron, announcing Van Altenberg’s death, two days ago. The baron is then sure he has entertained a spectre, and if his daughter has married him, “My goodness, my grandchildren will be spectres.” Obsessed with this idea he even has visions of the spectres dancing around him. In the meantime, the eloping couple have come to their senses, and Herman leaves his wife to be chaperoned by a witch until he can smooth matters. The baron and his sisters are still bewailing the loss of Hilda when the servant announces the return of the elopers. “What, the spectre coming here?” “No,” replies the servant, “A flesh and blood man.” Hilda craves forgiveness. Her husband, not being a spectre, is forgiven, especially as the old baron feels assured that his grandchildren will not be spectres.