Unknown Mother (1912)

A little girl was born to Leonia, Count Roberti's sweetheart. The Count denounces the girl as his own daughter of an unknown mother. Egle (the newly born's name) was taken away from Leonia and put into an orphan asylum. Count Roberti and Leonia separate, after the Count has provided for her, and she leaves the city. Fifteen years have lapsed. Egle returns to her father's house, Count Roberti, who gives her a very loving reception. After a few days, Egle makes her debut into society. Her grace and beauty attracted the admiration of all the guests, and particularly that of Luciano, the Marquis' son. Luciano and Egle love each other. Luciano tells his father he loves Egle and induces him to go to Count Roberti's house and ask for Egle's hand. The Count accepts the request, but feels it his duty to reveal to the Marquis that Egle is the daughter of an unknown mother. Hearing such unexpected news, the Marquis compels Luciano to forget Egle and leave the city. Egle cannot understand the reason of Luciano's sudden departure. She starts to guess that in her life there is a mystery that she cannot penetrate. One day, Count Roberti receives a letter from Milan. It is from Leonia, who asks money of him in memory of the past and their daughter. Egle surprises the Count reading that letter. But the Count forbids her to look at it. One day Egle finds the key of a secret drawer and is tempted by the desire of opening it in order to discover the cause of so many mysteries. She finds several love letters, among which are those of Leonia. Egle has discovered that her mother is not dead, but lives far away, unknown to her. A few days later, Count Roberti happens to be the victim of an automobile accident and Egle having remained alone in the world, decides to go in search of her mother to reveal her identity and live with her. In the meantime Leonia, who had been abandoned by the Count, had fallen in other company. Her best friend now is Mario. Egle's visit was unexpected. Leonia is more pleased on hearing the invitation of Egle to live in Count Roberti's house, than by the meeting with her daughter. Leonia follows Egle to Rome accompanied by Mario. The latter starts to love Egle, thus awakening the jealousy of Leonia. But Egle, who had learned of the return of Luciano, rejects all other proposals. Terrible circumstances make Leonia believe that Egle is her rival and full of disdain she brings against her daughter the most vulgar and infamous accusation. Afraid and horrified, Egle runs to Luciano for aid. The old Marquis, learning of all the sorrows that had fallen Egle, consents to the marriage. But when the two lovers returned to Count Roberti's house, they found that Leonia had been the victim of her lover's brutal anger.