The Novel of the Curious Impertinent.
Anselmo and Lothario, well-born young gentlemen of Florence who are known to all as The Two Friends, maintain their close relationship even after Anselmo's marriage to Camilla, a beautiful, rich, devoted, and virtuous maiden. Having such successful relationships with wife and friend, Anselmo is discontented with a malaise that increases each day. "I have an immense desire," he tells the shocked Lothario, "to test Camilla's virtue. I can never value one who owes her virtue to lack of opportunity, rather than to a vigorous denial of an aggressive and persistent lover." Anselmo begs his friend to act as Camilla's tempter, promising to ask someone else to do the job if Lothario should refuse. The husband then takes an out-of-town business trip in order to provide the opportunity for the plan. Despite his reserved behavior, Lothario falls so much in love with Camilla that he begins a sincere courtship. Camilla repulses him immediately and writes a letter to her husband.
