In the last year of the Austrian occupation of Venice, Captain Von Vincke fell in love with Nina Pepa sister of Carlo Pepe, a young Italian advocate with whom he had become friendly. Carlo, who had secretly joined Garibaldi’s forces, was furious when he discovered that Nina had given her heart to an enemy of her country, and exacted a promise from his sister that she would not marry so long as the Austrians held Venice. When Venice was ceded to Italy, and still the Captain did not return, Nina set out alone to find him. After many trials she discovered him, wounded, in a hospital at Verona, and nursed him back to health. Since the Austrians had left Venice her brother withdrew his opposition, and they were married.