For several days after Ellena’s arrival at the monastery of San Stefano, she is not permitted to leave. On the fourth day, the abbess summons her to her parlor, issuing an ultimatum: she must become a nun or marry the man that the Marchesa di Vivaldi has chosen for her. As Ellena refuses these choices, the abbess is taken aback by her boldness even as she mocks her “heroics.”

On the fifth evening after their meeting, Ellena is permitted to attend vespers. Here, she meets a nun with a melancholy and compassionate expression. She discovers from Margaritone that her name is Olivia. Over the following days, Olivia performs small favors for Ellena, such as bringing her books and refreshments while allowing her to visit the turret with its scenic views of the surrounding area.

One evening after vespers, Olivia invites her for a walk in the convent garden. As they return to Ellena’s room, Olivia advises her to feign some degree of compliance, to which the younger woman refuses. Olivia, however, maintains that Ellena’s situation is one where deceit is acceptable since it is a form of self-defense if the abbess pursues harsher measures.