Summary

Part 2 began with Maria’s sharing that she did not see Luisa Alday for a very long time after their first encounter. In the mean time, however, she began seeing a man she liked vaguely, Leopoldo. Simultaneously, she fell madly in love with Javier Diaz-Varella.

Maria had encountered Javier at the Natural History Museum some time after their first meeting at Luisa’s house. Maria was surprised that he remembered her and especially impressed when he recalled her last name. After they left the museum, Javier began asking her about Luisa. He said he was worried because she did not seem to be making any progress toward recovery. He began rambling to Maria about how she would one day recover from the loss and marry again. He seemed especially certain of this possibility.

As Javier spoke, Maria thought of how strange it...