The Embroideress of Treviso

Name: The Embroideress of Treviso
Author: Paul Heyse

A group of guests at a country house experiences a prolonged rain, leading to a decline in their spirits. Among them is Erminus, who becomes preoccupied with a story he discovered in old papers. He is persuaded to share this tale, which recounts events in Treviso during the 14th century, focusing on a noble youth named Attilio Buonfigli. Following a humiliating defeat of Treviso by Vicenza, Attilio vows revenge and gathers a band of followers to reclaim his city’s honor. Attilio successfully leads a surprise attack against the Vicentines, but is gravely wounded in battle. While recovering, he becomes betrothed to Emilia Scarpa, the daughter of a leading citizen of Vicenza. However, he feels a deep reluctance towards the marriage, as he has developed feelings for Gianna, a talented embroideress known for her beauty and skill. Gianna, who has lived a life of solitude since the death of her betrothed, is deeply affected by Attilio’s heroism and becomes enamored with him. As Attilio prepares for his wedding, he and Gianna secretly meet, confessing their love for one another. Gianna, however, is determined to uphold her honor and refuses to become Attilio's wife, despite her feelings. She insists that their love must remain unfulfilled to avoid rekindling the feud between their cities. Attilio, torn between duty and love, struggles with his impending marriage to Emilia. On the day of the wedding, Attilio participates in a tournament, where he faces his rival, Lorenzaccio, Emilia's brother. In a tragic turn of events, Attilio is mortally wounded during the match. As he lies dying, Gianna rushes to his side, declaring her love and devotion. In his final moments, Attilio acknowledges her as his true love, and they share a poignant farewell. After Attilio's death, Gianna mourns deeply, her hair turning silver as a symbol of her grief. She dedicates herself to creating a new banner for the chapel, using her own hair in the embroidery, and ultimately dies of sorrow, requesting to be buried beside Attilio. Their story becomes a legend, illustrating themes of love, sacrifice, and the tragic consequences of societal expectations. The guests in the saloon reflect on the morality of the tale, acknowledging its emotional depth and the complexities of love and honor.

By Paul Heyse · First published 1880 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Tragedy · 12,019 words

First lines

It was our third day of rain, and the wood and garden walks around the country house we were staying at, were turned into water-courses. On the first and second day, the party of guests had made it a point of honour to be as inexhaustible in good humour as the sky in clouds, and within the large five-windowed saloon, with the oleanders blooming before it, jests rained, laughter rippled, and witty repartees flashed uninterruptedly as the drops pattered on the terrace outside. On this third day, however, even the most genial in our ark became dimly conscious that the deluge might prove more persistent than their good spirits. True no one ventured to break the vow of enduring this visitation in common, -- made the day before yesterday, -- by slinking off to his room and sulking there on his own resources. But general conversation, games, spontaneous play of intelligence and wit, had somewhat failed since the professor who passed for a great meteorologist, had confessed that instead of the change to fair which he had promised, his glass actually showed a fresh fall of the mercury. He had procured a second barometer, and was now seriously investigating the causes of this discrepancy between two prophets. His wife meanwhile was silently painting in body colours on grey paper her sixth water-lily; at a second table, Frau Helena was setting up her men for a seventh trial of skill at chess, while Frau Anna sat in a corner beside her baby's cradle, fanning away the flies from it, while trying to guess the conundrums and charades in the old almanac open on her knee.

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The Embroideress of Treviso is listed on Textopian as a novella by Paul Heyse, dated 1880 CE.

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Work type: Novella
Author: Paul Heyse
Date: 1880 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Tragedy, Literary Fiction, Adventure
Length: 12,019 words
Structure: 1 section, 63 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Genres

Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a specific historical context, focusing on events and characters from the 14th century, particularly the feud between Treviso and Vicenza.
Romance — The central plot revolves around the romantic relationship between Attilio and Gianna, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and societal expectations.
Tragedy — The story culminates in tragic events, including the death of the protagonists, highlighting themes of loss and the consequences of choices.
Literary Fiction — The writing style emphasizes character development, emotional depth, and philosophical reflections on love and morality.