'A deadly paleness overspread the countenance--the eyes were hollow, and sunk--the hair was clotted with blood--with which his garments were also stained, and the light which Anselmo had descried, proceeded from a taper which he held in his hand.'

Set in medieval Lombardy, this is the story of the trials and tribulations of the virtuous Rhinaldo and his beloved Isabel. The barbarous usurper Astolpho has seized the throne, murdering Rhinaldo's father, Count Roderic, and imprisoning Isabel under the guard of the abominable Rhodolpho. Can Rhinaldo win back his birthright and...