Chapter 7: Lake Ipacarai Summary

In January 1863, General Franco receives a letter of congratulations from Napoleon Bonaparte. Franco has been elected President of Paraguay. He puts his younger brother Benigno on trial immediately for conspiracy against him. Padre Maiz is sent to prison, and Chief Justice Lescano is tortured to death for speaking out against Franco in the "campaign." Benigno is banished to a family estate in a remote part of the country called San Pedro. Franco does this against the wishes of his mother, Dona Juana, because of his brother's bad health. Benigno himself blames Ella for his ordeal as he prepares to move north.

Ella has three ladies in waiting, Senora Dona Dolores, Dona Isidora and Senora Juliana, her favorite. They are celebrating the birth of her fifth son, Antonio. Franco's other brother is to become a cabinet member, as well as...