Neapolitans Maria Gennari and Pasquale Lojacono are very much in love but having marital problems. The marriage is built on a shaky foundation: Maria believes that Pasquale is a failure as a husband because he's unable to provide for them after losing his place in the chorus of the opera company. Maria has turned to her old boyfriend, wealthy Alfredo Mariano, benefactor of the local orphanage where she grew up; Alfredo is still in love with her and she would willingly run away with him--but she's very much in love with Pasquale, who has no idea there was ever another man in her life. Then Pasquale is able to fulfill one aspect of his promise to Maria of a house; in fact, it's a palace. He can't believe his luck when he stumbles upon the property and learns that it's not only rent-free, but he'll also get a small stipend to set up living there, with only seemingly-minor stipulations on his part to secure the rental. Pasquale doesn't tell Maria any of this--or the reason why nobody else would be interested in living there: it's supposedly haunted by the ghosts of previous residents who killed themselves there. Misadventures ensue with the knowledge that each has in their existence in the palace: Pasquale believes that what are really physical realities are the work of the ghosts, and Maria is trying to hide Alfredo from her husband, as he has come to the palace to try to steal her away.
—Huggo