Subject: Summary # 2, pages 51-104
            Author: Marta I (152.163.207.208)
            Date:   07-11-1999 22:40

            (Sorry, this is going to be long, it's just that so much went on in 
            these 54 pages..) 
            And the years went by... 
            Martinique (the island setting for the book) is beautiful, volcanic 
            island, full of love and hatred, passion, cruelty, etc. Over this 
            land four hearts would crash (Monica, Aimee, Juan and Renato). 

            Monica is already a novice, described as gentle and sensitive. She 
            suffers, loves deeply, like a fire that consumes itself giving 
            light. Monica wants to make the final commitment (to religious life) 
            but her mother, the confessor and the 'Madre abadesa' try to 
            convince her to take it slow. Monica does not want to leave the 
            convent, begs them not to send her away, not to reject her. 

            Renato returns to Campo Real. He's described as 'Altivo y gallardo'. 
            Blonde straight hair with big light colored eyes, Lord of his land. 
            Renato is upset when he notices how inhuman is the treatment given 
            to the workers in CR. Renato has an argument with Bautista about 
            this. 

            Aimee is introduced as a very passionate woman, is compared to the 
            volcano for her ardent passion. She seems to be anxiously awaiting 
            for someone's arrival. Her mother notices this and confronts her. 
            Seems like Aimee has some past stories that should be kept quiet and 
            they do not want Renato to find out about it. 

            Juan's ship arrives. Strong and agile, threatening look in his eyes, 
            'recio', strong and wide chest, rough hands and 'rostro altanero', 
            owns a diabolic shine of triumph in his image. He is like the son of 
            the storm, like a rebel who stands against the whole world and feels 
            capable of fighting the whole world. Juan is now 26 years old and is 
            the most skilled mariner in the Caribbean. People call him JUAN DEL 
            DIABLO. 

            The Molnar family residence is described, just like on screen, as a 
            solitary, isolated home near the beach. Furnished with older 
            luxuries. One of those households which try to maintain the 
            appearance of earlier years of wealth. 

            Aimee is visited in her room by Juan. They go outside and make love. 
            They seem to be crazy about each other (more of a passionate 
            physical bond than anything else). Juan already knows that Monica is 
            a novice but has not met her yet. 
            Aimee confesses to Juan that she loves him for being rude, violentt 
            (salvaje), for being a 'devil'. She asks him about his pseudoname 
            (JDD). He avoids the issue and tells her to call him anyway she 
            wants. He answers to no one. Nobody owns him but himself. 

            We get to know that Aimee was the one who originally spotted Juan as 
            he arrived on one of his trips. She seized him until they had the 
            passionate relationship that they keep now hidden from most other 
            people. 

            Monica seems to be getting sick/weak at the convent from all the 
            sacrifice exercises. She is ordered to spend some time (months?) 
            back with her family before making the final commitment. 

            Renato meets his mother (Sofia). He has an argument with her about 
            Bautista's ways of running CR. She lets him know that thanks to 
            Bautista CR is twice as big and they are twice as wealthy. But 
            Renato is more concerned with the wellbeing of the workers. They 
            live as if they were slaves. 
            Renato tells his mother that he is in love, with Aimee. Sofia is 
            happy for him, although shows some disgust for Aimee's family having 
            no money anymore. Sofia introduces Renato to Yanina, Bautista's 
            niece, who has become her nurse, companion and almost her daughter. 
            Back to the Molnar issue. Renato and Sofia decide to invite the 
            entire Molnar family (Dona Cata, Aimee and Monica) over to CR for a 
            while. Renato tells his mother about Monica being now a novice. He 
            says Monica's decision seemed all of a sudden, unexplained. He says 
            he was originally closer with Monicaa. At that time Monicaa seemed 
            lovely, full of life, very spirited. She used to look after him all 
            the time, took care of his needs while he was a student, stood by 
            his side, was like a sister to him. 
            Renato asks his mother about Juan. She is very uneasy with that 
            subject conversation. She says Juan has turned into a repulsive 
            adventurer, a gambler, a pirate and they still call him JDD all over 
            town. 
            Renato feels sorry for Juan. He's sorry for the hard life Juan must 
            have had, all that he has suffered and fought to get 'to that'. 
            Renato does not blame Juan. He actually justifies his attitude 
            'cuando desde nino se vive con el alma envenenada...'. 
            Renato recalls the last time he saw Don Francisco before his 
            accident. He feels bad that he was so rough with Don F, but he does 
            not regret defending his mother as he did. He does not resent his 
            father. He actually justifies Don F's gesture, his embarrasment at 
            catching himself in such a violent outrage against Sofia that he ran 
            away in anguish, losing his own life in that tragic accident. He 
            remembers his dad's final words asking him to take care of his 
            mother and Don F's begging him to look after Juan, to love him like 
            a brother. Dona Sofia wants Renato to forget about Juan. Everything 
            she has done was for Renato's wellbeing. Renato acknowledges that 
            and changes the subject to avoid a strong argument with Sofia. 
            (However, he is still decided to look for Juan to try to fulfill his 
            father's request...) 

            Monica arrives back at the Molnar's house. She goes into one of the 
            empty rooms in the halway and Juan walks in thinking it is Aimee, 
            not Monica. For the first time, they face each other. Juan behaves 
            arrogant and 'altanero', very self-confident. M: What do you want? 
            J: With you...nothing. Monica does not want to tell him where Aimee 
            is and Juan gets even more arrogant and begins calling her 'Santa 
            Monica' several times. He even calls her 'Terrible Cunada'. Monica 
            leaves the room. 
            Monica runs into her mother. They talk about Aimee and how she has 
            deceived others. Monica says Aimee will not deceive Renato. She 
            promised to make him happy. 

            Aimee arrives with several young men (she had left the house with 
            girl friends). She is stopped by Juan. He wants to see her that 
            night at his cave. Juan leaves when they hear Monica come toward 
            them. Monica reminds Aimee of their 'pact' (arrangement). Aimee 
            swore something to Monica and Monica will see it through that Aimee 
            complies with her words. Monica confronts her about Juan's visit. 
            Aimee threatens Monica that if she tells about Juan, Aimee will tell 
            Renato ..(does not specify but my guess is Monica was in love with 
            Renato and he preferred Aimee, that's why Monica decided to turn 
            herself to God) Monica reminds Aimee that their pact is worth more 
            to her (Monica) than life itself. 

            Renato arrives at the Molnar's and Aimee puts on her 'lady'-like 
            face, very different than the one she meets Juan with. Renato lets 
            her know that they will live in CR. Aimee is upset, she thought that 
            they would live in Saint-Pierre (close to Juan of course). 
            Renato tells Aimee that Monica's attitude towards him seemed to 
            change overnight, she took away her appreciation for him, her 
            friendship. He's worried that he does not remember doing anything to 
            her to trigger that change. Aimee says that Monica might be going 
            nuts. Renato defends Monica, she's exceptional, intelligent, 
            balanced, and admirable in every sense of the word. 
            Renato tells Aimee he loves her so much he would kill her if she 
            deceived him because killing her would be better than knowing she 
            belonged to another man. 
            Renato invites the whole family to stay at CR for a season. Renato 
            specifically asks Monica to come along because he needs her help and 
            advice to fix those things that he is not happy with at CR (mainly 
            the injustice committed against the workers). He tells her that they 
            used to talk and dream of a new world, better, peaceful, more 
            generous. He is asking her to fix the dark areas of the paradise he 
            considers CR to be. For that he needs Monica as his companion, his 
            guide, his teacher. 
            Monica is moved by all of Renato's words. She feels happy listening 
            to those words, even though she is hurting deeply inside. She could 
            not deny anything to Renato. 

            Renato stays for dinner. Aimee is very anxious throughout dinner 
            (she is worried about Juan coming to get her if she does not go to 
            his cave). Right after dinner, Aimee fakes a great discomfort with 
            the heat. As Renato is leaving and walking away, Aimee takes off to 
            see Juan. She goes through the house and grabs the black novice 
            throw of Monica's and covers her face with it. Outside Renato sees 
            her but thinks she is Monica. He follows her but later feels 
            embarrased for following her and leaves. 

            Monica is praying asking why she is being submitted to so hard a 
            temptation. She considers it an extreme test from Christ. 

            Aimee is with Juan. He is leaving the next day for a trip and 
            promises her a present upon his return. Aimee promises him that she 
            will be there awaiting him. She will wait for him, facing the entire 
            world if need be. 

            Renato goes to visit Pedro Noel. PN is pleased to see Renato. Renato 
            resembles his mother but has the magnificent profile of the 
            D'Autremont's. Renato and PN share a drink. Renato asks PN to take 
            back the job he had when Don F was alive at CR. PN asks if Sofia 
            agrees with that request. She does not know yet. PN feels uneasy 
            with that answer. Renato asks PN about Juan. PN has not been able to 
            keep in touch with Juan. Describes Juan as an independent sinister 
            man, angry at life, involved in unlawful businesses and contraband. 
            Juan is in the middle of every riot, every fight, scandal or bout in 
            Saint-Pierre. But he has been lucky enough or smart enough to not 
            have had to face court yet. PN advices Renato to stay away from 
            Juan, not to look for him. Forget about him. 

            Aimee returns from her encounter with Juan and walks into Monica. 
            She gives the throw back at Monica who is suspicious because Aimee 
            would not need a throw if she is complaining of the heat. Also, the 
            throw is moist and smells like salt, algae. Monica immediately 
            concludes Aimee was with Juan. (none other) 

            Juan is playing a gambling game with a man. They get to bet their 
            own ships on one last play. The man wins but Juan discovers he was 
            cheating and sticks his knife in the man's had. Renato has been 
            watching without being noticed by Juan. All of a sudden someone 
            shouts that the police are coming and everyone runs away. Juan takes 
            the money and is escaping when he runs into Renato and threatens him 
            with the knife to get out of his way. Renato pulls out his gun, 
            later retrieves it. Renato tries to make Juan recognize him by 
            introducing himself and reminding Juan that he took his money when 
            they were kids. Juan is very rough even though he does recognize 
            Renato. Juan says he doesn't have time 'para esas ninerias'. His 
            ship leaves the next day and he will return Renato's money some 
            other night when he is more lucky at gambling. 
            Renato returns to PN's and tells him about the incident with Juan. 
            Renato tells PN that he watched Juan defend himself and walk among 
            enemies. He couldn't help it but feel admiration for Juan. Juan 
            seemed likeable in a strange unavoidable way. PN tells Renato that 
            he just learned that Juan was arrested. Seems like the man he 
            wounded claimed Juan had lost the game and tried to kill him, 
            bringing false witnesses. 
            PN and Renato leave to try to defend Juan and get him out of the 
            unfair spot. Money is no object to Renato. PN is proud of Renato 
            even though outside he still is outraged at his interest for Juan's 
            welbeing. 

            Aimee is looking out at Juan's ship 'Luzbel' the next morning. 
            Monica joins her and Aimee admits what she is doing. Then they see 
            some cops arrive at the 'Luzbel' searching for someone or something. 
            Aimee leaves back for the house and Monica is impressed by the 
            ship's name. How in tune with its owner. 

            Back at the jail, PN tells Juan that he is free. Juan at first 
            thinks it has been PN who managed to get him out, so he is very 
            thankful to PN. Juan reminds PN that he is the only person who ever 
            gave Juan anything or smiled at him without any outside interest. 
            Juan recalls how PN helped him through that trip on the coach to Don 
            F's Campo Real, nobody else every noticed him, not even to give him 
            something to eat, except PN who bought a case of oranges for him. 
            Juan says that has been the only present that anyone gave him, the 
            only time someone smiled at him and cared about him. 
            PN is very moved by Juan's words. Renato has heard all of this 
            spilling of feelings by Juan from close by in the dark. Renato is 
            visibly shaken by the discovery of how little Juan has had in life 
            compared to him, who had it all. Renato comes out of the dark and 
            faces Juan. Juan is outraged. Juan feels angry at having been freed 
            by Renato's money, sarcastically states that this must have cost the 
            blood of several slaves. Renato remains calm and states that he 
            would like to talk to Juan as friends, as brothers like his father 
            asked him to... Juan does not let him finish the thought. Juan jokes 
            about the D'Autremont last name as 'royal blood'. Juan says that hee 
            must leave to get the bundle of money that he now owes Renato. Juan 
            is very sarcastic at all this. PN is outraged but Renato remains 
            calm even though he is being insulted. PN reprimends Juan but Renato 
            wants to hear what Juan has to say. Juan is not interested in 
            talking anymore. He excuses himself and leaves quickly. PN is 
            outraged, he feels like they should put Juan right back in jail. But 
            Renato is not regretting having helped Juan (asks PN if he regrets 
            having given him the oranges that time). Renato shares with PN the 
            belief that a man capable of recalling PN's noble gesture with that 
            emotion cannot be so evil inside.

       

    Source: geocities.com/martaivett