The main narrative begins in 1758, six years prior to the events described in the Prologue. It is at the church of San Lorenzo in Naples that Vincentio di Vivaldi encounters the delicate and graceful Ellena Rosalba for the first time. When the service ends, he sees her leave the church with an elderly woman whom he assumes to be her mother.

Vivaldi follows them, determined to get a better glance at Ellena’s face and discover where she lives. Overtaking them as they enter the Terrazzo Nuovo, he tries to find a way of introducing himself yet feels too embarrassed to do so. But as the older woman stumbles on the last steps of the Terrazzo, Vivaldi hurries to help her.

The older woman is not hurt, but Vivaldi insists that she accept his arm as they walk to their house, the Villa Altieri. Though small, the house is comfortable and tastefully furnished. Standing on an eminence, it commands an impressive view of Naples.

In the evening, he returns to his father’s palace at Naples. He manages to find the time to accompany his mother, the Marchesa di Vivaldi, on the Corso. Noticing his anxiety and unusual silence, she asks him questions about his change in manner, but he gives only evasive replies.

Vivaldi is the only son of the Marchese di Vivaldi, a court favorite and a nobleman from one of the most ancient Neapolitan families. Enjoying more power than rank, his pride of birth is mingled with the pride of a principled mind.

On the other hand, the pride of Vivaldi’s mother, a woman descended from a family as ancient as that of her husband’s, is grounded solely on that of birth and distinction rather than morals. Haughty, vindictive, and prone to violent passions, her love for Vivaldi is less maternal than focused on his being the descendant of two illustrious families.

Vivaldi himself possesses more of the character of his father than of his mother. Although his pride is as noble as his father’s, he exhibits some of the fiery passions of his mother, but without her duplicity or vindictiveness. Frank, ingenuous, and endowed with a high sense of honor, he is quick to take offense but also keen to spare the feelings of others.

The next day, he sets out to obtain intelligence on Ellena’s family. He learns that Ellena lost her mother during infancy and that she is an orphan and niece to Bianchi. The sole support of her aunt’s final years, Ellena spends her time embroidering silks which are handed to the nuns of a neighboring convent and sold at a high profit to Neapolitan ladies.

After having spent much of the day on inquiries concerning Ellena and Signora Bianchi and helping his mother in the preparations of a concert for her evening assembly, Vivaldi returns to their house near midnight, hoping to see Ellena. He makes his way to one side of her villa, before going to another when he hears her singing a hymn to the Virgin. Peeking into a lattice, unseen, he sees her and gets a full view of her room. As she utters his name, he decides to reveal his presence to her, whereupon she closes the lattice and leaves the room. 

On his departure from the villa, he crosses paths with a monk whose face is shrouded by a cowl. The monk addresses Vivaldi by his name, warning him that his steps are being watched and that he should avoid Altieri.

When Vivaldi tells his friend Bonarmo about his love for Ellena, Bonarmo suggests that they serenade her. On the way to her villa, they encounter the same monk who issued a warning to Vivaldi the previous night. As they complete their serenade, Vivaldi suggests to the reluctant Bonarmo that they explore the area near the arch from which the mysterious monk seemed to emerge. While examining the area, they see the monk again, but Vivaldi is unable to apprehend him. He decides to make another visit the following night.