The Countess Of Assis - Romance, revenge and ambition during the Second Reign

by PAULO FOSCHI, JOÃO; Sobrinho, Vanusa;

  Mrs. Teodora, upon seeing her husband, run to hug him and cry.

  “Our daughter, Gaspar! It was terrifying, seeing her falling to the ground like that... It looked like she had died in front of me!”

  “Calm down, Teodora! Now let’s listen to what Mr. Atílio can tell us...”

  The Count of Assis tried to calm Lorena’s parents down, alleging that what had happened was simply a collapse due to a stronger emotion, and that Lorena’s constant indisposition was possibly due to the changes in the weather, very common during that time of the year.

  Mrs. Teodora took the opportunity to tell him what had been happening with her daughter lately: nausea crises, sudden indisposition and constant lack of appetite, all of which had made her weak and without energy, without even getting up from her bed.

  “Today was the first time in days that she decided to come down for dinner...” the hostess informed.

  “Please, you two calm down!” Atílio said, “but first we must wait for Lorena to wake up so that I can examine her more calmly.”

  “Mr. Atílio”, Mrs. Teodora added, “I apologize for not being polite enough to offer you a cup of coffee or even a cold drink.”

  “There is no reason to worry about it, Mrs. Teodora!”

  “No, seriously! Accept at least a cup of coffee and a slice of cornbread that I made specially for you.”

  Seated at the table, Lorena’s parents and Atílio talked for a while until Teresa announced that the girl had already gained consciousness. They went upstairs to her room and there she was, laying down, contemplating through the windows the first signs of the dusk fast approaching. Atílio approached her bed, saying tender words as always.

  “Miss Lorena, I’m happy to see that you are feeling better.”

  “Mr. Atílio!” she answered with her voice still weakened.

  “Mr. Atílio was who helped us when you fell, my daughter”, interrupted Mrs. Teodora. “And now, as promised, he wants to talk with you about what you are feeling. I already told him some of your symptoms, but you are the one who has been sick, so...”

  Lorena realized that there was no solution, because Rafael didn’t answer to the message that she had sent. Realizing that Atílio’s clinical eyes had already diagnosed her state of health, now the girl was sure that all was lost forever.

  “Well, it is better to leave us alone”, Atílio told them.

  Lorena’s parents left the room and the Count of Assis could now talk more freely with whom he loved so much.

  “Lorena, I didn’t want to visit you, or even be next to you in these circumstances.”

  The young lady turned her face away from him, ashamed.

  “I know what you will say to me, Atílio. And, sincerely, I prefer not to listen to it.”

  “What don’t you want to hear? That I love you?”

  “She stared at him again, surprised. She couldn’t believe her own ears!”

  “No! You know that it is not that”, she answered back.

  Atílio sat down on the edge of her bed, talking to her softly.

  “All I can tell you is this, nothing else.”

  “But you know that...”

  “What do I know?”

  “Of my condition, you already know...”

  Atílio looked her in the eyes and caressed her long black hair.

  “It doesn’t matter!” he said.

  “But Atílio, I...”

  “Lorena!” he said, interrupting her. “I knew you loved someone else. At the beach, when you gave me that answer, I knew you were lying, because otherwise I knew you wouldn’t have given me a negative answer.”

  “And why do you think that?”

  “Because I am aware of everything I did to win your heart. But don't you think I am that innocent. Don't you forget that I was already married once and that I have also experienced a great love.”

  Lorena, seeing on Atílio’s face such grandeur of spirit, didn’t resist. She cried, devastated for putting herself in such a humiliating situation, disregarded by the man she chose to love and seeing herself in front of another who confessed to love her even after knowing about her selfish attitude.

  “Your pregnancy is recent”, he said, now with professional coldness. “Your parents will not even suspect anything for a while, because I told them that your indisposition had to do with the change in the weather. However, it is crucial that you notify the child’s father about your condition, and that you get married as soon as possible.”

  “Atílio, I cannot!” she said, in between sobs.

  “Why can’t you?”

  “I can’t tell you!”

  “How can I help you, then?”

  “Oh, Atílio!” Lorena threw herself in the arms of the young doctor, begging for help. “I never wanted to hurt you, or provoke your suffering! I would do anything! Everything that I could do to avoid hurting you!”

  He answered calmly.

  “My dear, I am already hurt. I envisioned you as an angel and now... And now, I see that this angel broke one of her wings. But, despite everything, despite the fracture, you are still an angel, because a celestial being can never change her nature.”

  Lorena held him even tighter and Atílio, for loving so much that small and defenseless creature, hugged her back.

  “Due to the circumstance in which you find yourself, you have only one way out, my dear.”

  The girl, hearing that, lifted her swollen face, will tears rolling down, and looked him in the eyes once more.

  “What?”

  “If you accept my proposal, and get married to me, you will be spared. Otherwise...”

  A thousand things went through Lorena’s mind on that brief moment.

  A second time, Atílio repeated the proposal already made.

  “Lorena, accept my protection and marry me.”

  Chapter XV

  The day of Carolina’s birthday had arrived. The night was pleasant, and a considerable number of guests were mingling inside the Figueiredos’ home and the garden was specially decorated for the occasion. Mrs. Leonor couldn’t even remember the last time she had received so many guests in her house, but the reason was worth it, after all, it was the celebration of her daughter’s birthday.

  The orchestra was playing with perfection the waltz from the latest season, while the couples were getting ready for another dance. There, together with the birthday girl, was Rafael Abrantes and his family. Mrs. Mariana, together with Mrs. Leonor, had organized with dedication each detail of the event. Your Imperial Highness, princess Isabel, apologized for her absence and sent Carolina a beautiful cameo.

  There had been a long time since there was a party with such dazzle in the Catete neighborhood. Whoever passed by in front of the Figueiredos mansion would certainly be impressed with the overwhelming number of victories, landaus and coupés, parked up and down the street. This was the life of the rich Carioca town’s people: a restrict number of renowned people and fashion princes, ladies and gentlemen guided by the Court etiquette of good manners, were all there gathered to celebrate the daughter of one of the most famous militants of the Empire’s National Guard.

  The birthday girl was radiant with happiness. After a brief speech given by General Figueiredo, who announced once more his daughter Carolina’s marriage to the son of Judge Henrique Abrantes, he danced the Vienna waltz with her. Enthusiastic cheering was heard at the end of the song, with people shouting Happy Birthday! Carolina’s dress was a shade of green sewn with lace details, in a hard-to-execute art. Her red hair was tied high on the back of her head, ornate with a diamond tiara, her maternal grandmother’s heritage.

  Among the guests, all they could hear were compliments on the quality of the food and of the delicacies being served.

  “I heard they came from the Carceller[39]!” a lady commented, eating the delicacies with pleasure, while other ladies were gathered on the sitting room to talk about the latest gossips of the season and some of the gentlemen preferred to discuss the ‘i
mportant’ topics of the state. After appreciating the smell of a Havana cigar, one of Rafael’s friends, Eduardo Ferraz, commented:

  “Better than this smell only the smell of a enchanting lady of the night!”

  “Well, my friend, many will inebriate you tonight! All you need is to keep the doors of your heart open!” Rafael answered him.

  “No, you know very well that a lady’s perfume is simply a seduction trap for the matrimony, and I am not ready yet to enter this scaffold.”

  Eduardo’s comment was heard by many of his fellows, who were smiling ironically after listening to this criticism of such an important institution.

  “Does that mean you will continue the celibate, Eduardo?”

  “Of course not, Otávio! I would say I am simply waiting until a more convenient opportunity pops up...”

  Otávio Leivas knew very well the type of ‘opportunity’ his friend was referring to, after all, he would never pass an offer of a sizeable dowry...

  “If you don't invest now, you may lose the best quotes. Watch out that you are becoming an old man, Eduardo!”

  “What an exaggeration! One must know how to wait!”

  Rafael was quietly listening to the conversation. He thought about his commitment to Carolina and all that this marriage represented to his family.

  “This one is already saddened, saying goodbye to his freedom from his bachelor years.”

  Then, Rafael realized they were talking about him.

  “What? What did you say?”

  “Did you see that, Otávio? Now tell me if I am not right: doesn't a lady steal our peace and tranquility? Look at this man! Look!” Eduardo said, pointing to Rafael.

  “You are all mistaken. If I am marrying, it is because I found the right person.”

  “Don't involve me in this discussion because I do not suffer from this thing called love!” Otávio said.

  “Are you trying to say that I am a disillusioned man?” Eduardo questioned, intrigued.

  “No, my friend. Far from me to say that you suffer from such a disease!”

  “Gentlemen, please!” Rafael urged, interfering in the discussion. “This is not the place or time to discuss such matter.”

  At that exact instant, someone knocked at the door. After a Come on in!, it opened, revealing the beauty of the lady who was entering the room. She demonstrated to know the place very well, because she had already been there in other occasions. Before anything else, she made sure that nobody had seen her entering that room, especially Atílio. She knew, however, that she had very little time, because in a few minutes, Mercedes and she would pay a tribute to Carolina.

  “Miss Lorena!” Rafael mumbled, surprised by the unexpected appearance.

  She approached him with firm steps. Not greeting the others around him, she could only see the gentleman in front of her.

  “Mr. Rafael, forgive if I am disturbing your conversation, but I need to talk to you briefly.”

  Rafael asked the others to leave the room, so that they could talk privately. After they were by themselves, a heated argument took place.

  “Don't you remember what we agreed anymore?” he asked, visibly irritated. “You promised you were not going to seek me out.”

  “And what did you expect? I sent you message, telling you I needed to talk to you and, nonetheless, you didn’t answer me!”

  “Miss Lorena, please! I told you it was only that one time. Only once!”

  “And will not you ask me how I have been? I was sick for several days, didn't you know? Didn't you notice how weakened and pale I am? The only memory to which I held on all this time was that meeting.”

  Rafael was speechless, seated, without showing any reaction. He was only hearing someone that, for him, was nothing more than an indiscreet woman and without any decency.

  “Miss, I ask you once again. It is not convenient for us to be here, alone. Certainly, they are already looking for me outside.”

  “So, does that really mean that we cannot see each other?” she asked.

  “No!”

  “But, Rafael!”

  “Mr. Rafael!” he said, correcting her.

  Lorena couldn’t believe that sudden transformation. How could he change like that, so suddenly? Where was the man that had been so tender and loving to her that night? The same one who kissed her and took her in his arms with passion?

  “It is better if we end this conversation once and for all”, he declared, wanting to end that subject forever. “If you will excuse me...”

  “NO!” Lorena screamed, advancing towards him.

  “You completely lost your mind! Let go!”

  Lorena backed off, flabbergasted. Now Rafael was avoiding her as if she had leprosy. Feeling as if the ground had opened under her feet, she leaned against a chair and, hiding her face with hands, she cried.

  “This again!” he said, angry.

  “Leave me! I couldn’t care less for what you might think; I am the one who knows what is going on inside of me, you miserable!” she said, beating herself strongly on her chest. “But one thing I assure you, sir! Listen well to what I am going to tell you! Nobody messes up with my feelings. Nobody!”

  “Miss, and what about what we agreed that night? That, by chance, doesn’t count? What did I ask you, even more than once? Have you already forgotten?”

  Lorena was speechless, while Rafael, not yet satisfied, went on:

  “I was drunk that night. I had had too much wine... I was not completely responsible for my actions...”

  “You are lying! You wanted me! You desired me!” she protested, heartbroken.

  “I don't deny that you are pretty, that you have elegance. But, please, I wasn’t deceiving you! I told you that I didn’t want to hurt you, and that was the price.”

  The girl stood up, trying to regain her pride before such humiliation. Once more she was being rejected. For her, that was unbearable! Once again the ruffle of her gray dress was heard on the elegant carpet of the chamber.

  “One more thing I have to tell you and, when you hear it, I believe you will change your attitude with me.”

  “Oh, really? And what is it?”

  “I’m getting married!”

  When Rafael heard that, he couldn't help laughing heartily.

  “May I know why you’re laughing?”

  “How can you ask me not to laugh after hearing such news?”

  “And doesn’t it make you sad? Or upset?” she asked, surprised.

  “Absolutely not! On the other hand, I congratulate you!”

  She approached Rafael again, glaring at him furiously. Mercedes and Atílio were certainly already looking for her among the guests; however, she still had time to say one last despising word.

  “I hate you with all my soul! I swear that this rejection will cost you greatly!”

  “Was that all you had to say to me?” he asked, already opening the chamber door for her.

  “Yes, it was all. Good day, Mr. Rafael!”

  She left. Only when he realized the door had been shut the young man managed to say his goodbye.

  “Good day, my dear!”

  When she entered the garden, Lorena went to meet Atílio, who was already worried about her. Soon, Mercedes joined them, reminding her friend that it was time to sing the modinha to the guests. While they were getting ready in a more reserved area, they heard voices coming from one of the rooms upstairs. It was Carolina that was talking with her two cousins Olívia and Cândida.

  “So?” inquired one of them, trying on another one of Carolina’s jewelry pieces. “How is this one? I am the one who cannot show up in public with a bare neck!”

  “It looks very good on you”, answered Olívia. “Unlike some things or people attending his party...”

  “What do you mean?” Carolina asked. “I don't understand the sarcasm.”

  “Ah, it’s just that I cannot stand that friend of yours! That little bourgeois, with the airs of a society lady!” the cousin answered, looking at
herself in the mirror.

  “Lorena is not that bad, nor does she behaves differently than other ladies”, the birthday girl, explained. “She is a little foolish, I have to agree! But she and Mercedes are my friends.”

  “But the issue is of another matter. And Olívia is right, cousin!” Cândida added. “It is not good for people such as us to hang out with this type of people. Our society has rules... Besides, what does that peddler’s daughter want invading our ballrooms? This certainly will not generate good comments about this event. I assure you!”

  Carolina didn't worry about what Cândida was saying.

  “But you have to understand that I cannot stop helping her, because Lorena has been a good friend to me. She needed friends and to learn good manners... And this is because you two didn’t know her before! If you had seen how she could barely dress herself...”

  Laughs.

  “But what do you intend to do afterwards?” Olívia asked.

  “I am not sure...” she answered, getting her hair ready in front of the mirror. “Maybe I should distance myself from her after getting married. You know how it is... the life of a woman changes completely after matrimony. Soon children will come and other occupations, and soon I won't have time to do this type of charities anymore...”

  The two witnesses, shocked with the topic of the conversation, walked away from there quickly, fearing being discovered there. Lorena, after listening to that, felt the weight of what it was to be undermined because of her social class, but this time, she preferred not to show any reaction. Mercedes, furious with so much arrogance, showed her sympathy to her friend. And especially now that they were preparing to honor her friend, singing on that event. How could Carolina be so cruel?

  “Let’s go home, Lorena! You don't have to sing after hearing such a monstrosity.”