A wardrobe mistress at a Vienna theatre wins a competition, receiving as her prize a luxury tour round Italy. On the train she meets an impoverished young Italian who pretends to be a prince.

Returned from exile where he accompanied his mother Caterina Sforza, Giovanni de 'Medici (1498-1526), becomes, under the name of Giovanni delle Bande Nere, captain of fortune at the service of the idea of a united Italy.

When a young woman becomes aware of her husband's wandering attentions, she plots his comeuppance.

When a young woman becomes aware of her husband's wandering attentions, she plots his retribution.