On the Duke of Cesena’s grounds, while a masque ball was going on, Pauli, a famous conspirator, was saved from his pursuers by the quick foresight of the Duchess, who gave him her domino, which completely concealed his identity. The Duke arranges that Pauli leave for the Greek coast, where he will have safe refuge. Because of constant companionship with the Duchess, Pauli has fallen in love with her, and this the Duke discovers by seeing their shadows in a curtained window. Amazed as he was, the Duke did not utter a sound, but cautiously withdrew in the woodland shadows. The following morning, as the Duke and Duchess were taking their daily ride, a band of gendarmes suddenly sprang from a wooded patch. At that moment the truth flashed through the woman’s mind and looking at the Duke she realized that betrayal came through him, and with a sudden outburst of rage, the Duchess lashes his face with her whip. Ascending the castle stairs she joins her lover, warning him that there has been foul play. Escape by this time has become impossible and they are encircled by a troop of gendarmes. Under the bailiff’s discharge of musketry the Duchess is wounded. Pauli inflicts a wound upon himself and falls beside her. As they lie in the moonlight they regain strength enough to meet in a last embrace.