the Marquis de Torrebianca, who grapples with the weight of financial troubles while trying to maintain an air of sophistication and luxury due to Hélène's lavish lifestyle. He reads letters from creditors with mounting anxiety while reflecting on his mother’s struggles to support him from their crumbling estate in Italy. Hélène enters the scene with a vibrant yet manipulative charm, displaying a blend of childlike affection and demanding entitlement. Their conversation quickly highlights the tension in their marriage as they navigate debts, desires, and social obligations, hinting at deeper emotional undercurrents and the looming presence of an unknown visitor. As the plot progresses, the dynamics between Torrebianca, Hélène, and those in their social circle are poised to challenge their perceptions of love and loyalty. (This is an automatically generated summary.)