We do not quite see any sufficient motive for Rachel's marriage to Count Paolo Buonamici on her Italian visit, except that the American girl was blinded and dazzled by the general fascination of Italy, for she does not love the man -- an empty-headed, cold-hearted, sterile-natured man, who conquers ber by the brief passion of temperament and a certain clinging persistence like that of the jelly fish. The Italian count wins the girl and her fortune, and finally comes to America to enter the banking business, fully developed in the most mean and despicable of all passions -- avarice.
In this context, there is no apparent reason for Rachel's marriage to Count Paolo Buonamici during her visit to Italy, except that she was captivated by the country's excitement. The American girl does not genuinely love the man – a shallow and unfeeling individual who wins her over with brief romantic infatuation and persistent attachment. The Italian count secures her wealth and eventually moves to America to start a banking career, driven by his most base passion: greed.