Content Warning: This section of the guide describes and discusses the text’s use of racist stereotypes and its treatment of domestic and familial violence, death by suicide, and rape.

The novel begins in Venice, Italy, in the late 1400s. The Marchese di Loredani is a wealthy nobleman; he is happily married to Laurina, and they have two children: Leonardo and Victoria. On the night of Victoria’s 15th birthday, a handsome German nobleman named Count Ardolph attends the celebration. Ardolph shares mutual friends with the Loredani family and is invited to stay as their guest.

Unbeknownst to the Loredani family, Ardolph is a womanizer who particularly enjoys seducing married women. He quickly sets his sights on the beautiful Laurina. Although Laurina has been devoted to her husband for years, she is moved by Ardolph’s passionate declarations. She briefly resists, but the two soon begin an affair.

Unlike the other women he has seduced and discarded, Ardolph develops genuine feelings for Laurina and persuades her to abandon her husband and children. She leaves Venice to go and live with him. The Marchese is devastated; Leonardo runs away from home shortly after his mother leaves, and the Marchese devotes himself to taking care of