The Duchess's Revenge or The Three Warnings

This issue features "The Duchess's Revenge; or, The Three Warnings," an original Italian story. The narrative opens at the ducal palace of Vergellesi during wedding festivities. The young Duke, on his wedding night, confesses to his tutor Bentivoglio his despair: he abhors his bride Fiammetta Malatesta, forced upon him by his father, and yearns instead for a woman matching his idealized vision—golden-haired, gentle-eyed, delicate. Bentivoglio reveals knowledge of such a woman: Constantia Gernito, the duchess's companion, dwelling within the palace itself. The Duke then recounts a family legend: a century prior, his ancestor seduced and drove mad a girl named Blanche after she rejected his advances. Before her death, Blanche's sanity briefly returned thrice to warn successive dukes—twice of danger, once of death. The Duke believes he will receive these three warnings. The narrative establishes Gothic supernatural elements intertwined with romantic conflict.