Up at the Villa

Mary Panton arrives at her affluent friends' villa just outside Florence, Italy, following the recent death of her husband. The opulence of the villa contrasts sharply with her deep sense of loss and isolation.

The day after a gathering celebrating the Munich Agreement, Sir Edgar Swift unexpectedly proposes to Mary. Though surprised, Mary asks for time to consider his offer, which he graciously accepts, planning a return from Rome.

That evening, Mary attends a lavish soirée hosted by her friend, the Princess San Ferdinando. During the event, an incompetent violinist is dismissed, and Mary shows kindness by giving him a generous tip.

At the soirée, Mary meets the charming but married American, Rowley Flint. He offers her a ride home, and they stop at a quaint church where Mary opens up about her traumatic past.

During their ride, Mary reveals the pain of her previous marriage to an abusive alcoholic who died tragically. This moment creates a palpable tension, leading to Rowley's attempted kiss, which Mary rebuffs vehemently.

Feeling compassion for a starving Austrian refugee named Karl Richter, Mary invites him to dinner. Their emotionally charged evening culminates in an intimate moment, despite Mary knowing he must leave the following morning.

Mary attends a meeting with English expatriates and local authorities, where Fascist official Beppino Leopardi insists they register their stay in Italy. The tense atmosphere underscores the precarious position of foreigners in the country.

That night, Karl breaks into Mary's room confessing his love for her. When Mary admits her previous actions were driven by pity, Karl reacts violently, culminating in a tragic confrontation and his subsequent suicide.

In desperation, Mary enlists Rowley to help conceal Karl's death. They dispose of his body in the woods, a frantic and tense moment that highlights Mary's fear of being caught in a scandal.

Mary's relief is short-lived when Leopardi informs her of Rowley's arrest due to possession of an unregistered firearm. Faced with the risk of losing both Rowley and Edgar, Mary must act quickly to protect them.

Determined to help Rowley, Mary seeks out Princess San Ferdinando and successfully gets her intoxicated. Under the influence, the Princess divulges blackmailing information that could turn the tide in Mary’s favor.

Mary confronts Leopardi with incriminating documents, leveraging them to secure Rowley's release from custody. Although furious, Leopardi has no choice but to comply with her demands.

After Rowley's release, Mary admits her feelings for him, yet they both recognize the impossibility of their situation. This moment of vulnerability leads to a poignant farewell as they decide to part ways for the moment.

Mary meets with Sir Edgar, where she confesses her recent tumultuous experiences. Although Edgar remains hopeful for a relationship, Mary ultimately declines his marriage proposal, recognizing her lack of love for him.

As Mary prepares to leave for London, she is surprised to find Rowley joining her on the train. They decide to travel to Paris together, hinting at a new beginning amidst the uncertainties of life.