"O my noble-hearted boy!" cried Bianca, pressing my head against her breast with deep emotion; "O pure and unselfish soul! Who will dare now to say that there are no great hearts save those that are born in palaces!"
Gathered together with some younger friends in Venice in the mid-nineteenth century is the ageing singer, Lelio. He has had a glittering career, which is not yet over, but past its prime. Spurred on by their curiosity, he recounts the story of his life and, more importantly, of his one great love, never consummated.
He had been a working class boy from nearby Chioggia, put into service as a gondolier at the palace of the great Aldini family on the Grand Canal. Two rival passions dominate his life - singing, and his mistress, Bianca Aldini. His love for her develops slowly and in secret. His astonishment when he begins to detect that it may be returned is great, but soon turns to misery as he realizes that she cannot overcome social custom to the point of uniting herself with one of such a different class, no matter how much she cares. He leaves Bianca's service, thinking her an adorable coward.
His singing career under a stage name subsequently goes from strength to strength, and renown is his. All the attendant opportunities for adventures in love also present themselves. Then one day at a performance an imperious young aristocrat looks down at him intently from a privileged box. Later, he recognizes her as Bianca's daughter Alezia, the last of the Aldinis, who was an insolent and difficult child the last time he saw her. She has grown into a spirited and magnificent young woman. He is entranced.
Alezia does not recognize him, and is fascinated. Will he be able to forget his beloved Bianca and give his heart wholly to her daughter? Should he reveal his identity? What will happen if Bianca hears of any liaison? Alezia's current suitor, her cousin Hector, may see any affair in a very harsh light if it is exposed. The scene is set for intrigue, secrecy, misunderstanding, fascination and deception in a complex network of emotion and honour, which can only end when healthy truth is embraced.
The Last of the Aldinis
was first published in 1839.