During his absence, Luisa's daughter drowns in Lake of Lugano and she is almost driven mad. Franco returns home for a short time but Luisa reacts coldly towards him. During the Second Italian War of Independence Franco becomes a volunteer soldier in the fight against Austrian and again meets his wife by Lake Maggiore.
When Franco was away, Luisa's daughter tragically drowned in Lake Lugano, causing her immense emotional distress. Upon his brief return home, Luisa displayed a chilly demeanor towards him. Later, during Italy's Second War of Independence, Franco joined the fight against Austrian forces and reunited with his wife by Lake Maggiore.