Withered Leaves: A Novel. Vol. 3 (of 3)

The narrative follows Blanden's ardent courtship of Giulia, a celebrated singer whose talent and the gradual decline of her voice complicate hopes for a settled life. He investigates her past through correspondence with acquaintances abroad and abandons initial suspicions when testimony proves favorable, while she endures melancholy and anxieties about leaving the stage. Their devotion confronts a hidden episode that imperils their future, leading to inward struggles, frank confessions, and reconciliations. Later episodes treat marriage preparations, the disposition of a legacy, and an eventual journey east, exploring reputation, choice, and the costs of artistic fame.