But a dark cloud hangs over their marriage: Maxim's first wife, Rebecca, her ghost haunts the newlyweds' home. Rebecca's devoted housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, is still in charge of Manderley and she frightens and intimidates her new mistress. Despite the encouragement of the house overseer, Frank Crawley, and Maxim's sister, Beatrice, the new Mrs de Winter struggles in her new life at Manderley.