Camilla

Camilla Busin, a middle-aged Venetian widow, arrives in Rome to take up service as a maid for the Rossetti family. Her discreet, steady presence brings a sense of wisdom and stability to the home. She quickly becomes a calming influence for the children, Andrea and Cristina, and for Giovanna, Mario, and the rest of the household.

Economic pressures strain the Rossetti household, causing frequent disagreements over money and the standard of living they can sustain. The tension grows as aspirations meet with limited means and unfinished plans. Camilla’s presence is felt as a stabilizing force amid the strain.

Across the mounting tensions, Camilla's discreet wisdom offers emotional ballast for the family. She earns the children's trust and helps them navigate the friction at home. Her calm, practical counsel helps keep Andrea and Cristina from getting drawn into the adults' quarrels.

Mario, the Rossetti physician, attempts to advance his career by preparing for a more remunerative exam. He envisions a brighter future for the family but struggles to stay focused amid domestic tensions. Camilla's steady presence supports his resolve, even as progress remains slow.

The strained finances and quarrels at home interrupt Mario's study routine. He finds it harder to sustain concentration while the pressure to improve their standard of living weighs on him. The situation foreshadows further personal tests.

Amid the turmoil, Mario reopens contact with Paola, an old flame, complicating loyalties in the Rossetti circle. He weighs past affection against the risks of upsetting his wife Giovanna and Gianni's disruptive influence. The dynamic adds a personal side to the family's struggle.

Gianni proposes a new business: launching Swiss diet products in Italy with Mario's backing. The scheme promises quick profits and a cure for their financial strain, drawing in Camilla's quiet support though she remains wary. The plan symbolically ties the Rossettis to a wider commercial gamble.

A neighbor asks Mario for medical intervention for her lover, a wealthy Milanese businessman who could finance the venture. Mario agrees to back the company, hoping the deal will stabilize the family's finances. The arrangement foreshadows how quickly a promising alliance could unravel.

A banquet is held to sanction the partnership with the Swiss producer, and the table features the very products meant for commerce. Suddenly, everyone falls ill, and the mood shifts from optimism to alarm. The illness signals the collapse of the deal and the fragility of their plans.

In the wake of the failed venture, the Rossetti family resolves to adopt a standard of living more suited to their means. The crisis nudges them toward sobriety and a more grounded household routine. The atmosphere of relief comes with a clear sense of change.

Mario ends his relationship with Gianni, severing the influence of the intrusive friend. The break marks a turning point for the household and clears space for more stable loyalties. This personal separation aligns with the Rossetti's new resolve to live more honestly.

Gianni finally agrees to marry Donatella, moving away from the schemes that troubled the Rossetti family. The union consolidates Gianni's life with Donatella and closes a chapter of instability. The timing aligns with the Rossetti's broader shift toward a simpler, more secure existence.

Camilla decides to remain in Rome, reinforcing her commitment to the Rossetti family and to maintaining balance at home. Her choice underscores her role as a steady, enduring presence in a changing household. She becomes a fixture in the daily lives that follow the upheavals.

Camilla's son becomes engaged to a maid who works in the same building, signaling a new level of integration between the workers and the Rossetti world. The engagement hints at a broader, more inclusive social dynamic developing around the family. It also marks a personal renewal for Camilla's household.

Toward the end, Camilla seems open to a discreet courtship with a bricklayer of her age who works nearby. The possibility offers her personal solace and a sense of continuation beyond the household's economic concerns. Her evolving feelings provide a gentle, intimate arc to her character.