

Antonio returns to Sicily glowing with his Roman conquests. Here, where only proof of virility matters, Antonio is a model, and his father bestows upon him a wealthy heiress, Barbara Puglisi, to perpetuate his name. Antonio and Barbara fall in love with each other, but time passes and Barbara, through the indiscretions of servants, realizes that her husband should do more. A year after his wedding, Barbara's family asks for the annulment of the marriage, since he has not yet been consummated. Antonio's father will not recover from this scandal. Antonio confides to his neighbor that he is losing his strength in bed. But a young maid reveals that she is expecting a baby from him.