The story surrounds a young woman, Angelina, who has been wooed by a nobleman's son, Ippolitto. Ippolito's father, conversely, does not like Angelina. Angelina was orphaned young and was raised by nuns in a convent, making her unfit to marry Ippolito. Ippolito, however, was insistent and so his father forced them into a vow of silence and separation. Also living at the convent is a nobel born woman named Faustina, with whom Angelina develops a strong sisterhood. A year after coming to the convent, Faustina goes off to complete her education, leaving Angelina alone.