In 19th century France, the Grande Dame summons the Brothers Grimm to discuss their interpretation of “Cinderella”. Showing them a glass slipper, she tells the story of Danielle de Barbarac: In 1502 Renaissance-era France, eight-year-old Danielle is the daughter of Auguste de Barbarac, a wealthy widower. He brings home his new wife, Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent, and her daughters Marguerite and Jacqueline and gives Danielle a copy of Sir Thomas More's "Utopia". As he departs for business a fortnight later, Auguste suffers a fatal heart attack while approaching the gate and delivers his dying declaration of love to Danielle, sparking Rodmilla's jealousy.