Author Description

Vincentio di Vivaldi becomes infatuated with a woman named Ellena di Rosalba, who he sees while attending service at the Church of San Lorenzo. He follows her and her elderly companion Signora Bianchi, later revealed to be Ellena's aunt. Seeing an opportunity to escort the two women to their home, Vincentio offers Signora his arm to help her walk. He revisits the villa in hopes of seeing her but is unable to do so. That night, he is wandering through a garden when he is approached by a ghostly figure in monk's clothing. This figure tells Vincentio to be wary of visiting the villa again in the future. Due to his love for Ellena, he continues to visit anyway, spurring another visitation from the ghostly figure. Although he doesn't find out who this ghostly figure is, Vivaldi decides to bypass the warnings by asking for Ellena's hand in marriage.