Part 3: Chapters 35-39 Summary

In chapter 35, an intensely hot summer descends on Florence and Alessandra begins to suffer the early symptoms of pregnancy. Alessandra is nauseated all day long, causing the servants to finally feel some compassion for their new mistress. Plautilla comes to visit and tells Alessandra that she knows Tomaso is a homosexual. Alessandra sends for her mother and apologizes for her earlier anger, aware now that she never could have known about Tomaso before his sickbed confession a few days earlier.

In chapter 36, Alessandra and Erila go home for the dedication of the family chapel. Alessandra's mother takes her to the chapel so that she can see the fresco alone. The painter is there and he shows Alessandra a panel he has saved for her to paint. Alessandra and the painter embrace, but are interrupted by Tomaso's arrival. Tomaso suffers...