Beppo is a young Calabrian peasant.He asks for Femia's hand .But she's a rich heiress and her father ,Angelo ,refuses.The lovers decide to elope.

Beppo is a young Calabrian peasant. He asks for Femia's hand. But she's a rich heiress and her father, Angelo, refuses. The lovers decide to elope. Both are pursued by the villagers who rape Femia and accuse Beppo. He is arrested and the girl takes refuge in a convent where she meets Adriana, a young sentimental countess. Meanwhile, Beppo is cleared and he looks for his lost love. Femia has left the convent to become Adriana's mother's companion. She is wooed by Franco and by the duke, the marquise's old beau.—dbdumonteil