A Sicilian Romance

Madame de Menon arrives at a village and takes a walk to enjoy the beautiful scenery. As she reflects on the beauty of Nature in all its striking forms, she hears a sweet voice raised in song. Madame is shocked to discover Julia disguised as a peasant girl, and both women are overcome with joy. Madame observes that the isolated nature of the location has allowed Julia to remain concealed and asks her to explain how she was able to escape.

Julia reveals that her servant, Caterina, was able to convince her lover Niccolo, another servant in the castle, to steal the keys from her jailer and to procure a ladder and ropes. Julia and Caterina used these to climb over the walls of the castle, and they hurried to the isolated village where Caterina was born to seek shelter with her parents. In thanks, Julia gave Niccolo a diamond that she had been meant to wear for her wedding to the duke.

Julia continues the tale of her escape, explaining how she changed into peasant clothes and threw away her good dress. She claims that Caterina's mother greeted her with kindness but knew immediately that Julia was of superior rank, and so Julia moved to the remote cottage owned by Caterina's sister, but she is still fearful of being caught.