Sir Lionel Bridgemont, a wealthy young English traveller, and Lavinia Buenafè, a young well-born Portuguese girl, had thought, ten years ago when they were betrothed, that their love was forever. But Lionel abandoned her, miserably, breaking her heart. He has continued his wandering life; she has married a wealthy nobleman and become a widow. Now the news of his forthcoming marriage reaches her, and she writes to him to suggest that they return each other's letters. Considering that they are...