On a frigid St. Agnes’s Eve, the landscape is enveloped in a sharp chill, so piercing that even the owl shivers beneath its feathers. The old Beadsman, with fingers numbed by the cold, recites his rosary, offering prayers amid the solemn figures of the dead in their frosty graves. As he steps through the chapel door, a contrast arises between his meditative solitude and the commotion of a festive celebration resonating from the castle hall. In this bustling scene of revelry, a solitary figure, the lovely Madeline, is engrossed in thoughts not of the present celebration but of the age-old legend of St. Agnes’s Eve. On this sacred night, it is said that a maiden, adhering to certain rituals and retiring to bed without supper, may encounter her future lover in a dream.

The Arrival of Porphyro

Across the moonlit moors, Porphyro approaches, undeterred by the risks posed by his presence in the castle, given the enmity between his family and Madeline's. Upon entering the castle, he discreetly hides behind a pillar, acutely aware of the peril. Soon, Angela, an elderly servant, discovers him and, fearing for his safety, offers shelter from his potential foes. Through shadowy corridors, she guides him to a safe spot, away from the vibrant festivities. Driven by a powerful longing, Porphyro beseeches Angela for a single glimpse of Madeline, vowing on oath to restrain himself from disturbing her, on pain of surrendering to his adversaries below. Touched by his earnestness, Angela consents and conceals him in Madeline’s chamber, within a closet brimming with confections from the feast below. Angela departs, leaving Porphyro in the silent chamber.

Madeline's Vision

Madeline enters her room, a halo of moonlight encircling her as she kneels by the window to pray. Her candle flickers and extinguishes, leaving her in the pale glow of the moon. Watching this serene scene, Porphyro is overwhelmed by her beauty and grace. Afterward, Madeline disrobes and drifts into an enchanted sleep. Porphyro emerges from his hiding place, entranced by the vision of her slumber. For a brief moment, the clamor of the outside world intrudes, but it soon fades, leaving the room to its tranquil silence. Seizing the moment, Porphyro arranges the delicacies from the closet—quinces, plums, jellies, and spices—letting their fragrances fill the room. As he softly plays a melody on a lute, Madeline awakens and mistakes him for a vision ordained by St. Agnes's Eve. Silent in his reverence, Porphyro kneels until she speaks, imploring him to remain, for without him, she fears she would perish.

A Swift Departure

As the moon of St. Agnes sets, the weather outside grows more hostile, with sleet and ice battering against the windowpanes. Porphyro, mindful of the looming day and the dangers it brings, insists that they must escape before the household rouses. Despite her fear and hesitation, Madeline clings to Porphyro, and together they navigate the cold, shadow-filled corridors. Passing unnoticed by the slumbering porter, they slip into the waning night, embarking on their flight into the wintry dawn.