
Catherine is a wealthy young woman lacking in notable qualities; when a young man begins to court her, her father, Dr. Sloper, attempts to thwart the relationship, sensing the suitor's opportunism. Catherine defies her father's judgment, which ultimately proves to be correct.

Antonio Mombelli is content with his life as a primary school teacher in the small town of Vigevano. His wife, however, is ashamed of their humble circumstances and dreams of something better for their family. She insists he quits his job, gives up on his pension, and opens a small shoe factory.




Martino Lori, widowed by his own wife, does not seem to recover from that mournful event. He has a daughter, Palma, entrusted until the age of eighteen to a guardian, Senator Manfroni: this, having reached the age of majority, will marry Flavio, leaving his father, toward whom he has a deep contempt, alone and abandoned.

