Donna Teresa

A recently widowed noblewoman leaves an oppressive household to live modestly in Rome with her grandmother and sister, reclaiming artistic tastes and domestic control. She revels in arranging the apartment, attending festivals and church services, and guiding her more hesitant sister through crowded streets. Vivid street-life and interior scenes alternate with attentive descriptions of ceremonies and local poverty, juxtaposing the decay of grand buildings with everyday hardship. The narrative centers on personal renewal, sisterly affection, and careful social observation rather than overt dramatic events.