Consuelo's Quest to Recapture Her Youth

Senora Consuelo's primary motivation throughout the story—and indeed, even before it takes place—is to recapture her youth. When Felipe meets her, she is 109 years old and shows it. Her hands are withered away; her mouth is almost toothless; her eyes, once green and beautiful like Aura's, are now faded and yellow. Consuelo's desire to recapture her youth is a perhaps a response to her lack of any children. General Llorente, apparently, was incapable of fathering a child. So great was her grief over this fact that the two separated at some point, but eventually were reconciled. She changed in their time apart, however, and began to experiment with the occult to find a way to relive her youthful days. Her desire to relive the past is also related to her love for the General and the pain she experienced...