Viçoso had greatly enjoyed the last ball at the Cassino, and shared his recollections of it minutely; Sofia did likewise. The most elaborate toilettes were described by both of them in particular detail, followed by the various people they had seen, the different characters, and a few barbed comments, albeit anodyne enough not to harm anyone. Mariana listened without the slightest interest; two or three times she even got up and went over to the window, but the hats were so numerous and so inquisitive that she sat back down again. Silently, she called her friend some rather ugly names; I won’t give them here because it’s unnecessary and, moreover, in rather bad taste to reveal what one young lady might think of another in a moment of irritation.

“And the races at the Jockey Club?” asked the former governor.

Mariana again shook her head. She hadn’t been to the races that year. Well, she had missed a treat, especially the one before last; it had been a very lively affair and the horses really top-notch. Better even than the races at Epsom, which he’d attended when he was in England. Sofia said that, yes, indeed, the race before last really had been a credit to the Jockey Club, and confessed that she had enjoyed herself immensely; it had been positively thrilling. The conversation drifted on to two concerts taking place that very week, then it took the ferry and climbed the hills to Petrópolis, where two diplomats provided ample hospitality. When they spoke of a minister’s wife, Sofia remembered to flatter the former governor and declare that he, too, must marry, since he would soon be in government. Viçoso squirmed with pleasure and smiled, shaking his head; then, looking at Mariana, he said that he would probably never marry. Mariana turned bright red and stood up.

“You seem in a great hurry,” Sofia said to her. “What time is it?” she continued, turning toward Viçoso.

“Nearly three!” he exclaimed.

It was getting late; he had to go to the Chamber of Deputies. He went over to speak to the two ladies he had been accompanying, cousins of his, and made his excuses; he came back to say goodbye to Sofia and Mariana, but Sofia said that she was leaving too. She simply couldn’t wait a moment longer. In fact, the idea of going to the Chamber of Deputies had begun to scintillate inside her head.

“Shall we all go to the Chamber?” she proposed to Mariana.

“Oh, no,” replied Mariana. “I couldn’t. I’m so tired.”

“Come on, let’s go. Just for a little bit; I’m very tired, too, but . . .”