Hilda's parents were killed in the Fayton Railroad disaster when she was 5. She was sent to her only relative in the world: her aunt, Miss Holt, a prim, hard-hearted woman by reason of a life of self-privation and self-pity. Then came a surprise to the unmarried, unloved aunt: Hilda's father's will stated that his entire estate should revert to his daughter when she reached her majority, but if she passed away before then, the fortune should go to her aunt. Determined to secure the fortune, Miss Holt relegated Hilda to the attic, fed her on her leftovers, and clothed her scantily. But a rich artist had been using the attic across the way as a studio for some time, coming several days a week and painting at his leisure. One evening, when he returned unexpectedly to remain for the night, he heard crying, and looking across the court he discovered little Hilda. He learned of her neglect, of her scant bedding, of her hunger. The next day he brought a warm blanket, and as the days passed he brought other things, the little girl believing that fairies visited her. Then came discovery. Whereupon Miss Holt accused her of stealing the good things, but Mr. Berghmann, the artist, overheard the accusation and he climbed into the attic and defended the little girl. He removed her from her aunt's house and legally adopted her himself. Thus Hilda's unhappy days ended and she became the little Princess she had dreamed she might be.