The Betrothed: I Promessi Sposi

After leaving Gorgonzola at midnight, Renzo travels along back roads to avoid any attention. He feels despondent as he heads for the Adda River—the border between the two states. He pauses to rest in a thatched hut, where he dreams about the people he has met during recent days. He sees visions of Lucia and Fra Cristoforo. Early in the morning, he wakes, says “his morning prayers with a special fervor” (287), and reaches the Adda. There, a fisherman agrees to take Renzo across the water in his boat. Renzo seeks out Bortolo and is given a job in the silk-spinning mill. He learns about the locals’ prejudices against people from across the border, who they call “baggiani, blockheads” (294).

The day that Renzo reaches Bergamo, the police search for him in the place of his birth. When the rumors of the police presence reach Fra Cristoforo, he sends a letter to Padre Bonaventura, whom he had arranged for Renzo to meet. As Fra Cristoforo is deliberating what happened, Griso comes to Don Rodrigo and reveals that he knows where Lucia is hiding. Count Attilio visits his uncle, the Count, who sits on the Secret Council, which is made up of “thirteen leading men of the law and the sword” (306). He describes Don Rodrigo’s difficulties and blames Fra Cristoforo for being disrespectful. The Count will arrange for Fra Cristoforo to be sent to Rimini, far away from Lucia and Renzo.

Count Attilio invites his uncle, the Count, to talk with the Father Provincial so that Fra Cristoforo will be officially sent away. The order is made possible by the Father Provincial negotiating certain conditions with the Count. They debate matters of honor. During this time, Don Rodrigo learns from Griso that Lucia has come under the protection of the Signora. However, Agnese has since returned to Lecco. Don Rodrigo plans to “seek the assistance of a fearsome man” (320), the Nameless One, in kidnapping Lucia. Don Rodrigo and Griso travel to the Nameless One’s castle.

The Nameless One lives in a heavily fortified castle, surrounded by “foul bravi” (328) The narrator discusses the Nameless One’s reputation; he is known for his violence, cruelty, and success in battles. The Nameless One agrees to Don Rodrigo’s terms. As soon as he makes the deal, however, he begins to have doubts. After a lifetime of violence, he suddenly has “an overwhelming sense of loneliness” (330), fearing for the state of his soul. Nevertheless, he summons his deputy, Nibbio, and sends him to Egidio who—through his connection with the Signora—will be able to arrange for a moment when Lucia is not protected. The Signora agrees to her lover’s request, casually sending Lucia out of the monastery. Lucia is immediately kidnapped by the bravi. As she is taken to the Nameless One’s castle, the Nameless One waits with “unusual agitation and ambivalence” (337). He has a servant and a sedan chair sent to meet Lucia.

Lucia is carried into the Nameless One’s castle. Nibbio enters, complaining that Lucia seems sad and distraught. The description of Lucia’s fear compels the Nameless One to pity her. He goes to her room and promises that she will be treated well. Lucia begs to be freed, explaining that she will pray for the Nameless One’s soul in exchange for being released. She does not want to eat, and she refuses to sleep in the bed, which the Nameless One blames on his servant. Lucia prays to the Virgin Mary, promising that she will renounce Renzo and “remain a virgin” (349) if she is released. The next day, the bells begin to toll. After a sleepless night of worrying about the state of his soul, the Nameless One sees people flocking to the church.

The tolling bells and crowds of people are greeting the arrival of the famous Cardinal Federigo Borromeo, the Archbishop of Milan. The Nameless One ventures out of his castle, “without his customary escort” (356) of bravi. As he leaves, he scolds the elderly servant for allowing Lucia to sleep on the floor. The narrator tells the story of the Cardinal, a famously good man. He founded many cultural institutions and uses his personal wealth to help as many people as he can.

The Nameless One is redeemed through a conversation with Cardinal Borromeo, resolving to change his ways. He confesses to kidnapping Lucia, and the Cardinal intervenes, sending a summons to Don Abbondio. The Nameless One prepares for Lucia to be released into comfort and freedom. Don Abbondio is “annoyed, irritated, and bitter” (375). He is also suspicious about the sincerity of the Nameless One’s conversion. In an effort to escape his responsibilities, he summons Agnese. Once they are united, the group heads back to the castle of the Nameless One.