In Milan, a city filled with intrigue and deception, Count Hippolito found himself in a storm of emotion at the funeral of Infelice, daughter of Duke Gasparo. Consumed by grief and anger, he accused the Duke of his beloved's demise, leading to a fierce confrontation. Meanwhile, Viola's brother, Fustigo, returned from his seafaring adventures only to find his sister unhappily married to the ever-patient Candido, a linen-draper. In a bid to provoke Candido, Viola and Fustigo devised a plot that would soon unfold.

The Duke's Deception

In the opulent halls of the ducal palace, a dark secret was revealed: Infelice’s death was nothing more than an elaborate ruse orchestrated by her father. Duke Gasparo admitted to having administered a sleeping potion to his daughter to dissolve her relationship with Hippolito, a match he would have otherwise welcomed were it not for a family feud. As Infelice awoke from her induced slumber, the Duke fed her a falsehood, claiming Hippolito had perished, and sent her to Bergamo to recover. Unbeknownst to her, the Duke's physician harbored a sinister plot to eliminate Hippolito, which Gasparo coldly sanctioned.

The Test of Patience

Elsewhere in Milan, a group of mischievous gallants set out to challenge Candido's legendary patience. They entered his shop and inspected his fine linens, deliberately requesting a ruinous cut from the middle of a bolt of lawn. Despite his wife's ensuing fury, Candido remained unflustered, even offering the troublemakers wine. When one attempted to abscond with a silver-gilt beaker, Candido calmly retrieved it and extended an invitation to dine.

Encounters at Bellafront's Abode

After their dining escapade, the gentlemen ventured to the dwelling of Bellafront, a known courtesan. Hippolito, still brooding over Infelice, joined them briefly but left in haste. Upon returning for his friend Matheo, he found Bellafront alone, who, smitten, professed her love for him. Hippolito, unmoved, launched into a tirade against the vices of prostitution. Desperate and rejected, Bellafront nearly took her own life but was stopped by Hippolito, who vowed she would earn his love.

Unyielding Candido

The conspiracies against Candido persisted as Fustigo posed as Viola’s lover. Yet, Candido’s equanimity remained undisturbed, to Fustigo’s chagrin. Even when Fustigo was beaten by Candido’s loyal apprentices, the resilient merchant maintained his composure. Undeterred, Viola resorted to locking up Candido's formal attire before an important Senate meeting, but he resourcefully fashioned a makeshift gown from a tablecloth and attended with dignity.

Bellafront's Transformation

Bellafront, inspired by her unrequited love for Hippolito, resolved to forsake her previous lifestyle, expelling her suitors. Her past seducer, Matheo, cynically remarked that honesty was unattainable for her. Undeterred, Bellafront infiltrated Hippolito's household disguised as a page, only to be rebuffed once more when she revealed herself. Resolving to leave Milan, she departed just as Hippolito received a summons from the Duke’s physician.

Chaos and Resolution

Amidst these tumultuous events, Fustigo, smarting from his earlier humiliation, sought revenge on Candido’s apprentices. Viola, frustrated by her husband’s imperturbability, had him committed to an asylum, claiming madness when he refused to retaliate. However, Candido’s unwavering patience shone through, even as the bullies mistakenly assaulted him. Viola’s remorse led her to seek the Duke’s aid for Candido’s release, but political intrigue delayed their reprieve.

The Lovers' Reunion

While Viola sought a warrant for Candido’s release, the Duke learned that Hippolito lived and was to marry Infelice at the monastery. In a race against time, the Duke disguised himself and rushed to thwart the wedding. Hippolito and Infelice, already at the monastery, prepared to wed in secrecy. With Matheo's warning of the Duke's approach, the friar hastened the ceremony...