Rosa is told by her father that she must marry a man from her own clan. She refuses, and vows to marry the first man she meets. That man is Antonio, who is from a hated clan. Antonio is in love with Rosa, although she hates him. Despite this, she keeps her vow and marries him.

"A rose of old Italy, transplanted to American soil, there to bloom and flame, hate and love, in the intense old world manner."