“Well, then, be that way,” the go-between mused silently. “I know what you’re figuring out for yourself. If only Leonardo were to put you on solid ground with a bit of capital so that when your boyfriend wants to set sail you won’t have to go off with him. And you have a good eye for the cold, hard cash. Because that’s what Cifuentes has coming out of his ears. All that’s left is for him to feel like giving it to you. Yes, I know, right now he’s offering it because he’s at the stage of trying to keep you all wrapped up for himself. It’s easy to see you haven’t given in to him yet. But there’s a long way to go from that to creating an obligation. Anyway, lady, fight your fight—what do you have to lose?”

And La Alazana fought her fight with a very good chance of winning. Because Leonardo was just itching for her, as they say. Since he couldn’t do anything else for the moment, he limited himself to making sure that the very best of everything from his fincas, the aguardiente aged in his stills, was sent to her house rather than his own.

Those were the only presents La Alazana accepted. She always refused, with a joking comment to minimize the hard impact of the negation, the jewelry and fine fabrics of which Doña Mercedes was the bearer. But the go-between turned out to be difficult to discourage, especially since a soul that was greedy and not very firm in resisting temptation could be glimpsed behind La Alazana’s affected modesty.

Doña Mercedes’ insistence won out for the first time when she offered a wrap from Guatemala made of fine silk embroidered with vivid designs. La Alazana accepted it, but not without adding, “Please tell Señor Cifuentes that I don’t wish to slight him, especially in consideration of the friendship he has shown for my husband. I’ll wear this shawl at tonight’s dance.”