As the nuns finish their prayers, Sister Angelica, sent to the convent by her family because she had an illegitimate child, tries unsuccessfully to hide her unhappiness at having heard no news of her family in seven years. Then, the Abbess announces that Angelica’s aunt, a princess, is arriving. The aunt coldly informs Angelica that her child is dead. Distraught at this news, Angelica pines to join her child in Heaven. She drinks poison, but is further grief-stricken when she realises suicide condemns her to Hell. She then prays to the Madonna, who guides Angelica and her child to Heaven.