Oriole's Daughter, a Novel, Volume 2 (of 3)

A novel written in the late 19th century. Set in Rome, it centers on Minna Hastings, an independent sculptor who befriends the gentle Fulvia Dietrich as the girl is coerced by her calculating mother into marrying the vulgar, wealthy Marchmont. The story explores duty, money, and maternal power versus personal freedom, with the sad, steadfast Signor Giuseppe Oriole—Fulvia’s true father—standing as a figure of silent sacrifice. Minna’s attempts to save Fulvia drive a tense domestic drama of pride, love, and cultural clash. The opening of this volume shows Minna offering Fulvia refuge in her studio, where she sculpts the girl’s likeness while Marchmont intrudes and Fulvia wilts under his attentions. Minna’s worldly friend Mrs. Charrington warns her to disengage, but Minna remains committed. As the wedding is rushed forward, Fulvia faints; Minna boldly offers to free her by supporting her for life, but Signora Dietrich counters with a sermon on filial obedience and reveals that Giuseppe Oriole is Fulvia’s father. Fulvia, torn yet resolute, chooses to marry Marchmont rather than abandon her mother. On the wedding day Minna spirits the shattered Giuseppe to Hadrian’s Villa; afterward he quits the house. Weeks later he reappears, broken and jobless, with the bitter news of an inheritance that arrived too late to save Fulvia, and Minna resolves to help him.