Chapter II Summary

Don Jaime has received a note from someone called Dona Adela de Otero, inviting him to visit. He goes to the meeting thinking that the invitation comes from the mother of a prospective student. When he arrives at the home, a maid shows him to a room, and Dona Adela enters soon after. Don Jaime is surprised to see a young and beautiful woman. He notices that despite her beauty there seems to be something aggressive, perhaps masculine, about her. Don Jaime also notices a small facial scar in the corner of her mouth.

After offering Don Jaime some coffee, Dona Adela states that she wants to learn the two-hundred-escudo thrust. Don Jaime is shocked and wonders if he has misunderstood. Dona Adela continues to state that she has made inquiries and discovered that Don Jaime is the best fencing instructor...