Daantje Peters, a grocer's son from Schoonhoven, meets Betsy, the girl with the blue hat, during his military service in The Hague. Despite the warnings of Toontje, his "slapie," he quickly becomes engaged to Betsy. Soon it becomes apparent that Betsy is too frivolous for the respectable Daan, and she ends the engagement. She prefers to remain the friend of the entire company.

In a mysterious place, Tessa must confront that which has been lingering in the most dark places of her mind. Only by escaping will she know the truth.