Subject: Summary # 3, Chapters XV & XVI
Author: Robin N (157.198.3.51)
Date: 07-13-1999 18:40
XV
Renato comes to call on Aimee, but she’s nowhere to be found. Monica
steps into her role as “enabler” and tells him that Aimee’s not
feeling well. Renato, the gentleman, offers to send for a doctor,
but Monica and her mother tell him that it’s nothing to be so
worried about; if she’s not better soon they’ll call the convent
doctor. After he leaves, Catalina is worried, “Did you see her? Did
you find her?” Monica can only say that she will find her.
Monica’s climbing the rocks near the beach when she comes across
Juan. “How is it going, Santa Monica? Have you lost something here?”
he asks her mockingly. She tells him that it’s not his business and
to stop calling her Santa Monica. As she pulls away, she slips on
the rocks and Juan catches her and saves her. He tells her that he
is not mocking her by calling her Santa Monica, it’s just that that
is how she appears to him. He tells her of some nuns he knew in
Trinidad that he had occasion to help. When people are afraid they
stop feeling vain, or superior, they shout to anyone to help them...
even the devil (Hint, hint, Monica.)
Aimee locates Juan. She tells him that she’s been searching all over
for him because there were soldiers on his boat. “Why? What’s
happened? They told me you were arrested?” She wants to know more
about his business but he’s not in a confidential mood. She tells
him that she saw him talking to Monica and knows that she’s looking
for her. Juan knows something is going on and asks her to swear that
Aimee’s only acting up because her sister is annoying her. “You now
believe in oaths? You didn’t when we first met.” Juan breaks off the
conversation because he’s setting sail immediately. Aimee begs him
to wait until morning. He questions her again. She confesses that
there was a visitor to his house. Juan knows: 2 men on horseback.
Aimee pleads again for him to wait 10 minutes. “Be on time or you’ll
be sorry,” says Juan.
It takes Airmee an hour to get away. She tries to blame it on
Monica, but Juan’s not buying that story. She tells him that an old
friend--more Monica’s--Renato, was visiting. Juan tells her that
he’s one of the richest men on the island. Her eyes light up at this
one. Aimee wonders how Juan knows Renato, “do you have business with
him?” He laughs at this. He tells her that he saved Monica from a
fall on the rocks. Aimee wonders, “Why didn’t you let her fall?”
“She would have been killed,”replies Juan. “And so?” snaps Aimee.
Juan turns the subject to Aimee being his alone. “Are you asking me
to marry you?” she asks. Juan hadn’t planned on marriage, but he
warms to the idea. They’ll talk more when he returns.
Monica meets with Father Vivier to plead to return to the convent
but he won’t allow it. He asks her to return to secular life. If in
a year she wishes, she can join.
Renato has come back to take Aimee, Cata and Monica to Campo Real
and is surprised to see Monica looking so well in her non-nun
clothes--a high necked, black gown, with her hair in 2 braids worn
wrapped around the crown. Aimee doesn’t like the complement.
XVI
Back at Campo Real, Sofia sizes up Aimee and introduces Yanina as
her adopted daughter. Later in private, Monica is tortured by
proximity to Renato and by Aimee’s perfidious behavior. Aimee makes
it perfectly clear that she’s going to marry Renato--he is the
richest man on the island. “And only because...?” Monica is shocked
and Aimee tells her, “For that, and everything else besides, Santa
Monica!” This really offends Monica and Aimee delights in it. When
Renato comes up, Monica retreats. They’re watching some of the
slaves dancing. Yanina has been watching Aimee and Monica and probes
her for information. She has a pretty good idea of what’s going on.
Aimee is stalling for 6 months engagement, Renato wants to get
married right away. Monica implies that maybe Aimee isn’t sure of
her feelings so of course, Aimee agrees to move up the date.
Catalina sees this rich prize slipping away so she wonders what
Monica could be thinking to ask such a thing, but Sofia smooths
things over. Monica runs out.
In the chapel Monica prays, “It wasn’t for hate... it was for love..
But my love is at fault as well. My love is worse than hate!” Renato
gives her a fright coming upon her and she moves to flee. He stops
her and like a mope, wants to know how he can help her, because he
will be her brother. He wants to know why she thinks Aimee shouldn’t
marry him... does he have some defect? He becomes convinced that
he’s the one who’s the problem. She tells him no, and runs away.
Aimee joins him and he tells her he’s worried about Monica. Aimee
thinks it would be best if she goes back to Saint-Pierre (and being
a nun) tomorrow! And, self-less girl that she is... she’ll go with
her (to wait for Juan). Yanina arrives to summon Renato to Sofia’s
rooms.
Aimee confronts Monica and tells her that she missed a perfect
occasion to win Renato. Aimee taunts her with the possibility that
she could prefer freedom to riches. Understandably, Monica is upset.
They quarrel. She reminds Aimee that she would “want to see her
happy, but for her to make him (Renato) happy too.” Catalina comes
in and tells them to stop fighting. Aimee plays her little game of
the satisfied fiancee and joins Renato leaving Cata to question
Monica.
Balance continues in separate post