The Grandfather

Don Rodrigo, Count of Albrit, arrives back from America to his once-great estate, hoping to restore his honor after losing his fortune. He is greeted warmly by his granddaughters Dolly and Nelly, but a nagging sense of unease about their true lineage lingers. The turn-of-the-century atmosphere frames his uneasy homecoming as he surveys the family’s precarious future.

Don Rodrigo learns that his son died heartbroken after discovering his wife’s affair with a Parisian painter. A letter insinuates that one of the granddaughters is illegitimate, casting doubt on the rightful heir. He confronts Lucrecia about Dolly's paternity, seeking truth while tension tightens around the estate.

Lucrecia, a socialite with powerful connections, uses her standing to block Rodrigo’s inquiry. She aligns with the village authorities and clergy to try to confine the Count to a monastery. Her aim is to thwart his quest before Madrid becomes a reality for her family.

Aware of the plan to remove him from the estate, Don Rodrigo evades confinement and escapes the monastery trap. He challenges the townspeople to recall the Count’s former influence and to accept his rightful place as patriarch. The escape reaffirms his resolve to uncover the truth about his granddaughters.

During his quest, the Count befriends Pío Coronado, the kind-hearted but morally conflicted teacher of the granddaughters. Coronado laments his six unseen but abusive daughters and contemplates suicide, though he lacks the nerve to act. Rodrigo bluntly offers a grim alternative, hinting that he could throw Coronado off a cliff if needed.

Senén, a mercenary servant, presents an incriminating love letter for sale. The letter implies Dolly might be the legitimate granddaughter, giving Rodrigo new leverage in his search. Don Rodrigo confronts Lucrecia again, pressing for Dolly’s future on the family estate.

Lucrecia’s confessor reveals that Rodrigo has misunderstood the situation. The revelation confirms that Nelly is his biological granddaughter, not Dolly. This twist shifts the Count’s focus and tempers the feud over lineage.

With the truth clarified, Rodrigo reconciles with Lucrecia and decides the girls’ futures must be settled by their origins and loyalties. He chooses to move forward with Nelly and avoids severing ties with Lucrecia, though Dolly’s loyalty to him remains intact. The family begins to recalibrate its internal dynamics.

Lucrecia leaves for Madrid with Nelly, leveraging her social connections to secure a better future. The move marks a shift from provincial intrigue to national recalibration, easing the pressure on the estate. Dolly remains behind, tied to the old man’s hopes and the rural home.

Dolly stays with Don Rodrigo on the estate, continuing to show fierce loyalty to her grandfather. Rodrigo’s wishes are fulfilled as he secures his remaining granddaughter and preserves the family line. The Count’s quiet victory consolidates a fragile peace.

Pío Coronado, overwhelmed by despair, buries his suicidal intentions but remains morally ambivalent about his own future. The Count’s blunt mentorship has left him with a lingering sense of peril and responsibility. The tutor's fate becomes a minor sub-plot in the wider family drama.

With the truth clarified, the Count secures a future for the surviving granddaughter and preserves his name and estate. Dolly remains as a symbol of his loyalty and the family’s continuity, while Nelly begins a new life in Madrid with Lucrecia’s departure. The villagers and clergy return to their routines, having witnessed a revival of the Count’s old influence.