Section 14: Chapter 30 and 31 Summary

In chapter thirty, Ellena worries that Vivaldi has yielded to his family's demands that he forget her since she has not heard from him yet. One day, Ellena sees a large cloister of people and descends to find Sister Olivia of San Stefano. After a joyful reunion, they retire to Ellena's chambers where Olivia explains that the abbess of San Stefano persecuted her due to suspicions that she helped Ellena escape. The abbess and nuns at Santa Maria della Pieta are kind and already dispelling Olivia's despondency. When Beatrice visits Ellena, Ellena fears that Vivaldi is dead. After excessive perambulations, Beatrice reveals that Marchesa di Vivaldi died. Beatrice and Olivia examine each other, and the two women recognize each other. Olivia asks Beatrice who Ellena is as she presses the girl to her chest and reveals that she is...