The Duchess of Malfi (Paperback)

The Duchess of Malfi is a widow, but still young. Her two brothers Ferdinand, who is her twin, and the Cardinal - visit her in Malfi. The Duchess chooses Antonio, a gentleman newly returned from France, as her steward. She appoints Bosola, a discontented soldier who has served the Cardinal, as her Master of Horse. On departure the brothers warn her to remain chaste and unmarried but the Duchess secretly woos and marries Antonio with her waiting-woman Cariola as witness. -
Almost a year passes.
The birth of her first child is an event which Bosola discovers and reports to the brothers without discovering either the father's identity or the marriage. Ferdinand reacts with violent passion and vows revenge; the Cardinal displays rage too, but his is cold (II.v).