don rodrigo, count of albrit, an old spanish aristocrat, returns to turn-of-the-20th-century spain after losing his fortune in america. the death of his only son has made him come back to his family estate, now in possession of his daughter-in-law lucrecia. upon his return, don rodrigo is pleased to meet his granddaughters, dolly and nelly, both of whom are adorable and attentive towards him. however, there is something nagging don rodrigo.