Summary

In Chapter 25, Lila shows herself completely uninterested in anything Elena does. She stops reading, and because of their strange symbiosis, Elena finds that school no longer gives her pleasure either. Elena finds herself excelling in school, but she doesn't enjoy it anymore, because Lila no longer cares for school either. She meets a professor from the higher levels, who takes a great interest in her. She continues to see Nino sometimes. When she tries to connect with Lila, the only topic of discussion is how Marcello is still pursuing her. Lila is convinced that if Rino finds out about Marcello, they will fight; she is convinced that she is a curse on mankind.

In Chapter 26, Rino and Pasquale take Lila, Elena, and Carmela out for an evening. Lila insists they visit the part of Naples where fashionable people will be walking. They come...