And on the opening night of Don Giovanni at the Theatro Municipal, he found her in the foyer and insisted she visit his parents’ box at the interval so that he could formally introduce her to them.

‘You should feel honoured.’ Maria Elisa raised her eyebrows as Gustavo left Bel’s side and walked through the crowd sipping champagne in the foyer before curtain up. ‘His parents are the nearest thing to royalty we have left in Rio. Or at least,’ she giggled, ‘they behave as if they are.’

And indeed, when Bel was led into the box at the interval, she found herself making an impromptu curtsey, as if she’d been meeting the old Emperor himself. Gustavo’s mother, Luiza Aires Cabral, haughty in demeanour and dripping with diamonds, surveyed her through cool, narrowed eyes.

‘Senhorita Bonifacio, you are indeed as beautiful as everyone has remarked,’ she said graciously.

‘Thank you,’ said Bel shyly.

‘And your parents? Are they here? I don’t think we have so far had the pleasure of making their acquaintance.’

‘No, they are not attending tonight.’

‘Your father has a number of coffee farms in the São Paulo region, I am told?’ Gustavo’s father, Maurício, an older replica of his son, asked her.

‘Yes, senhor, he does.’

‘And of course, he is becoming rich off the back of them. There is much new money to be made in the region,’ said Luiza.

‘Yes, senhora,’ Bel agreed, understanding the implicit snub.

‘Well,’ said Maurício hurriedly, shooting his wife a warning glance, ‘we must arrange for them to visit us for luncheon.’

‘Of course.’ Senhora Aires Cabral nodded at Bel, then turned her attention to her neighbour.

‘I think they liked you,’ said Gustavo as he led her back out of the box and escorted her to her own.

‘Really?’ Bel thought quite the opposite.

‘Yes. They asked questions and were interested. That’s always a good sign. I will remind them of their promise to entertain your parents.’

As Bel commented to Maria Elisa when she joined her afterwards, she fervently hoped Gustavo would forget.

The invitation, however, duly arrived for the three Bonifacios to attend a luncheon at the Aires Cabrals’ home. Carla worried endlessly about what she should wear for such an occasion, trying on most of the dresses in her wardrobe.

‘Mãe, please, it is only a lunch,’ Bel pleaded with her. ‘I’m sure the Aires Cabrals will not care what you wear.’

‘Oh yes they will. Don’t you see that we are there to be inspected? One negative word from Luiza Aires Cabral and the doors that have so far opened so easily for you in Rio will immediately be shut in our faces.’

Bel sighed and walked out of her mother’s dressing room, wanting to scream that it didn’t matter what the Aires Cabrals thought of her parents or her because she would not be sold like a parcel of flesh to anyone.