In Sevilla, Spain, two identical twin brothers, Antonio and Fernando Castañeda de Castile, aspire to be matadors, but only one will succeed. In love with the same woman, Isabella Zamora, the brothers compete for her love, yet only one will win her heart. Antonio is a physical man, bold and daring, while Fernando is intellectual, introspective and deeply philosophical. In a cruel twist of Fate, Antonio is forced to "take his brother's life," and vows to Fernando at his death to keep a secret from the world. Speaking to a visitor, "a Moor" whose appearance was predicted by "a gypsy," the aged Antonio is finally able to reveal the secret and the story of his incredible life. He persuades his guest to write his story and to correct a fraud. It is the story of living a passionate life that inspires the writer-and will the reader-to a life of passion!