 The brothers' father Don Ramyres, ignorant of his sons' affections, suggests his elder son Fernando as a match for Jacinta, and Don Carlos prefers him over Alberto because he's richer; but then Fernando is displaced in Don Carlos's good graces by Don Pedro, an even wealthier candidate.Fernando tells his father of his love for the penniless Felisarda, and Don Ramyres pretends to disinherit him.Their romance revealed, Felisarda is sent away from her uncle's house to stay with Don Ramyres's household.