Book I
Protagonist; leaves the convent and becomes embroiled in the conspiracy against the Regent.
I: The Threshold
The protagonist, a learned youth leaving the convent, who is robbed of five ducats and a letter.
The Grey Friar
Recites his stolen letter from memory and tells the story of his childhood and renaming.
The Door Ajar
Flees from the tavern after the accusation against Fra Sulpizio, outruns his pursuers, and discovers a hidden door ajar.
IV: Sanctuary
Flees into the garden sanctuary, is hidden by Valeria, and demonstrates resourcefulness by diving into the lake to avoid capture.
V: The Princess
Emerges from hiding, shivering and self-critical; recounts his day's misfortunes; offers his services as a messenger to Princess Valeria.
VI: The Winds of Fate
Enters Casale under a false identity, lies to the watch and to Barbaresco, and skillfully extracts information about the conspiracy against the Regent.
Service
Disguised as a painter, he infiltrates the conspiracy and reports to Valeria.
IX: The Marquis Theodore
Presents himself as Facino Cane's adoptive son to gain the Regent's trust, but finds himself outmaneuvered and forced into deeper intrigue.
X: The Warning
Presented as Facino Cane's son; warns Valeria of the conspiracy and his role as the Regent's agent.
XI: Under Suspicion
Under suspicion from the conspirators after his visit to court; defends himself with wit and irony, suggests verification of his identity, and is imprisoned in a roof chamber.
XII: Count Spigno
Freed by Spigno, then murders him in cold blood to thwart the conspiracy; prays for Spigno's soul; escapes through a window but is captured by the watch.
The Trial
The accused, claiming to be Facino Cane's adoptive son, maintains his composure during the trial and suggests verification through the convent.
XIV: Evasion
Imprisoned, then visited by Theodore; lies to protect himself and the conspiracy; escapes using tools provided by Theodore; reflects on his journey and the Princess Valeria.
Book II
Continues his transformation from a convent-educated youth into a shrewd pupil of war and politics under Facino Cane.
I: The Miracle of the Dogs
Claims to be Facino Cane's son; survives the Duke's dog attack through mysterious means; uses wit and wordplay to manipulate the superstitious onlookers.
II: Facino Cane
Bellarion is brought before Facino Cane, tells his true story, and is taken under Facino's protection.
III: The Countess of Biandrate
Impressed Facino with his knowledge of military history and philosophy; begins training in arms and courtly arts.
IV: The Champion
Receives training from Facino, discusses contentment and stagnation, and is sent on a mission to Genoa to hire French lances from Boucicault.
V: The Commune of Milan
Facino's adoptive son who negotiates a favorable rate for Boucicault's troops, saving the Commune money and earning a reward.
VI: The Fruitless Wooing
Now famous at court, Bellarion navigates social intrigues and resists the Countess Beatrice's advances, remaining loyal to Facino.
Manoeuvres
Serves as Facino's esquire; warns of Buonterzo's potential countermove; scouts the heights with Stoffel and alerts Facino to the danger; proposes a plan to hold the ford.
VIII: The Battle of Travo
Leads the hundred Swiss crossbowmen in holding the ford at Travo, executing his own strategic plan; presumed dead after the battle.
IX: De Mortuis
Posthumously celebrated as the hero of the victory over Buonterzo; his strategy and sacrifice are praised, and a Requiem Mass is ordered for him.
X: The Knight Bellarion
Returns to Milan alive, is knighted, and avoids a joust with Carmagnola by feigning illness.
XI: The Siege of Alessandria
Proposes a strategic diversion to Lodi, citing Athenian tactics; clashes with Carmagnola and is rebuked by Facino.
XIII: The Victuallers
Rides alone to visit Stoffel, discovers the mule shoe and flour trail, interrogates Lorenzaccio, and proposes a plan to capture the victuallers.
XIV: The Muleteer
Disguised as the muleteer Beppo, he infiltrates Alessandria, delivers provisions, and persuades Vignate to launch a night attack on Facino Cane.
XV: The Camisade
Masterminds the capture of Alessandria through a daring camisade ruse; captures Vignate in single combat and negotiates his ransom; demonstrates strategic brilliance and aversion to personal violence.
Severance
Decides to leave Facino's service, plans to raise his own condotta of Swiss infantry, and proposes an alliance with Theodore of Montferrat.
XVII: The Return
Returns to Casale as a celebrated knight and envoy of Facino Cane, commanding a troop of arbalesters. He contrasts his current status with his departure a year ago and engages in a tense dinner with the court, deflecting Valeria's scorn with wit.
XVIII: The Hostage
Orchestrates the hostage scheme, using deception and strategy to manipulate Theodore and the Council, while earnestly seeking Valeria's trust.
Book III
Continues his rise as a cunning and fortunate soldier, now deeply entangled in Visconti politics.
I: The Lord Bellarion
Now a celebrated condottiero leading the Company of the White Dog, he receives Facino's summons and proposes a strategic diversion to Genoa.
II: The Battle of Novi
Feigns interest in Theodore's offer while secretly loyal to Facino; orchestrates the exposure of Theodore's plot.
III: Facino's Return
Laughs at the Duke's impotence, rebukes him, and later becomes Facino's deputy in Milan, earning the title Count of Gavi.
IV: The Count of Pavia
Recovering from his injury, he patiently maneuvers at court, observing Filippo Maria's interest in the Countess and warning her to withdraw to Melegnano.
V: Justice
Receives warning from Venegono, interrogates Mombelli, and decides to ride to Milan to stop Gian Maria Visconti.
VI: The Inheritance
Adoptive son of Facino Cane, now Count of Gavi; orchestrates a marriage proposal between Filippo Maria and Beatrice to consolidate power.
VII: Prince of Valsassina
Now Prince of Valsassina, he orchestrates Filippo Maria's marriage, leads military campaigns, and goads the Duke into action against Theodore of Montferrat.
VIII: Carmagnola's Bridges
Demonstrates strategic foresight, secretly sends Stoffel to Carpignano, and clashes with Carmagnola over military decisions.
IX: Vercelli
Leads the siege as a strategic demonstration; reluctantly agrees to Carmagnola's plan; suspects Theodore's craft and tries to withdraw the attack.
X: The Arrest
Accused of treachery, defends himself with logic, arrested.
XI: The Pledge
Condemned to death by the captains, he escapes by overpowering a friar and a guard, fleeing in disguise.
XII: Carmagnola's Duty
Mentioned as the wrongfully accused agent; his plan to raise the siege is discussed.
XIII: The Occupation of Casale
Occupies Casale, forces the council to swear fealty to Gian Giacomo, writes a revealing letter to Valeria, and prepares to meet Theodore's advancing army.
XIV: The Vanquished
Orchestrates the strategy to draw Theodore out of Vercelli; commands the forces that engage Theodore near Villanova; after the victory, he collapses in a swoon.
XV: The Last Fight
Recovering from a near-fatal wound, he expresses his desire to leave the world and enter a monastery, but ultimately confesses his love for Valeria.
