Lilliana Hoffman dies in a
carriage accident in the woods, caused by wolves that attack both the horses and the
coachman. Her husband Fredric, at his dying wife's urging, reluctantly performs a
caesarean section to save their unborn daughter. Years later, the young Lily Hoffman — the Snow White of the title, although she is never addressed or referred to as such in the film — plays
mischievously on the grounds of the Hoffman estate. Lily reluctantly meets her new stepmother, Lady Claudia who gives the
reticent Lily a Rottweiler puppy. Lily is pleased, but runs off with the puppy without thanking her.