‘I hope she will say how proud she is that her daughter wishes to do something useful with her life. And I’m sure your father will be very happy with your decision.’

‘Well, I hope you’re right,’ said Maria Elisa fervently. ‘And I was thinking that while I’m in Paris, rather than waste my time here, I might volunteer at a hospital. There is one only a few minutes’ walk away from the apartment.’

Bel reached for Maria Elisa’s hands and squeezed them tightly. ‘You’re such a good person, Maria Elisa, always thinking of others. I think you have the perfect qualities to be a nurse. The world is changing for women, and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t make something of our lives.’

‘Well, since I have no thought of marriage at present, why not? Of course, Bel, it’s very different for you. When you sail home in six weeks’ time, you’ll become Gustavo’s wife, run his household, and soon after that you’ll be the mother of his children. But for me, I need some other purpose in my life. Thank you for your support. I’ll speak to Mãe tomorrow.’

Once they had climbed into bed and Maria Elisa had switched off the lamp, Bel lay there sleepless once again.

Six weeks. That was all she had left in Paris, before she returned to the life her friend had so succinctly described.

Try as she might to think positive thoughts about her future, not a single one came to mind.

Margarida had promised she would contact Bel once she had completed a few days in Landowski’s atelier to let her know when the professor deemed it suitable for Bel to join her. But so far there had been no word.

Yet again, Bel was confined to the apartment alone, as now it was Maria Elisa who was out every morning at nine, having gained the reluctant permission of her mother and secured a volunteer position at the nearby hospital. Maria Georgiana spent most of her morning attending to household tasks or writing letters.

‘It’s my mother’s birthday next month and I’d very much like to buy her something from Paris and send it to her. Would it be all right if I took a walk, senhora?’ she asked Maria Georgiana one morning at breakfast.

‘No, Izabela, I’m sure your parents would not approve of you gadding around Paris unaccompanied. And I have much to do today.’

‘Well then,’ said Heitor, overhearing, ‘why doesn’t Izabela accompany me as I walk down the Champs-Élysées to my office? Perhaps she can choose something at one of the galleries on her way? I’m sure she would come to no harm walking the few hundred metres back, my dear.’

‘As you wish,’ said Maria Georgiana with a sigh of irritation at being overruled.

‘The weather these days is what even a Brazilian would call warm,’ Heitor commented as the two of them set off from the apartment twenty minutes later and walked in the direction of the Champs-Élysées. ‘So, are you still enjoying Paris?’ he asked her.