With great pomp and ceremony the marriage of Beatrice and Philip Viconti is solemnized. But the latter does not long remain true to his nuptial vows, for soon afterwards, while out hunting, he meets Agnes of Maino. and falls madly in love with her. Beatrice learns of her husband’s perfidy, and with the help of her faithful friend and adviser, Macaruffo, plots revenge. But unfortunately, a traitor informs Philip of the plan, and the latter, with several of his men, surprise the pair and imprison them in the tower. During the night, Macaruffo gains Beatrice’s consent to escape with him. Suspending a rope from their lofty prison window, he makes a perilous descent, hand under hand, with his intrepid comrade clinging to his shoulders. But lo. When they are about twenty feet from the water of the lake surrounding the tower, the rope breaks precipitating them into the water. With a few powerful strokes, however, the brave fellow succeeds in reaching the opposite shore, with his almost lifeless burden. They escape to the hills, but soon are pursued by Philip, who overtakes them with his soldiers. Macaruffo dies nobly, defending Beatrice, but the latter is captured, and heartlessly sent to the block.