Begines are a seemingly unattainable order of “galloping nuns”. The interesting thing about these nuns is the transience of their vows. It is due to these unusual features of the Begines that they inevitably become desirable to men.
Miranda is a beautiful and wealthy woman who has been living in the convent of the Begines, and to no one’s surprise, many men admire her. While she appreciate their gestures, she doesn’t return the favor.
In a story with a story format, Miranda is told about the tragic past of Henrick by her maid. This form adds to the complexity of the text. Henrick was once a prince but he has now taken monastic vows. While she is interested in him, he rejects her. This enrages her and she accuses him of rape.
Soon Miranda comes across Prince Tarquin. It is interesting that she is not a traditional innocent heroine, because after marriage, when her wealth gets substantially reduced, she calls her sister so she can take her funds. When this doesn’t work, she sends someone to poison her sister, but again she doesn’t succeed.
As the authorities get to know about this, Miranda is shamed. She then asks her husband to kill her sister, which he fails to do, and is then sent to be beheaded. However, he is later released. Miranda and her husband are exiled from the country and it seems like Miranda is remorseful for what she has done.
