Pages 11-15 Summary

After wandering the garden for a while, Giovanni finally meets Beatrice near the fountain. He asks her if she could show him around, and tell him about the plants. To his surprise, she says that she knows nothing about the garden. She is not a scientist; she just understands the plants on a subconscious level. Judging from Giovanni's choice of flowers in the bouquet he gave her; she suspects he knows more than she does. The two of them enter a delightful conversation about the beauty of the garden, the weather and the loneliness of their lives. It is clear Beatrice is enjoying Giovanni's company, but erupts when she sees Giovanni approach the purple flower.

Just before he picks one of the petals, she charges violently towards him, screaming for him to stop. Giovanni, surprised by her violent reaction, does as...