[1] The Phantom Lady is a cloak and dagger play (de capa y espada) which follows the plot of the Invisible Mistress.
The Invisible Mistress plot is already found in Italian novelle by Masuccio Salernitano and Matteo Bandello.
[3] As is common in cloak and sword plays, it is the woman, in this case Doña Ángela, who propels the action.
In order to communicate with Don Manuel, the lady uses an ingenious device, which creates an ambiance of supernatural mystery, thus referring to the title of the play.
[4] The play opens on a street in Madrid on which Don Manuel and his servant, Cosme are traveling to celebrate the christening of a prince.