Chapter 3: Buenos Ayres Summary

The ship arrives in the city of Buenos Ayres in December of 1854. Franco plans to go ahead by mule to Paraguay while Ella stays in the city to have the baby. She stays in the suite at the Hotel Victoria. She still wonders what has become of Dimitri. Dr. Henry Kennedy, an American, is her doctor. He fled to South America after a scandal in the United States. Marie dictates a letter to her sister back in France.

Even though pregnant, Ella goes to parties and lives the high life in Buenos Ayres. She puts up Mathilde in a posh stable. The groom she hires to tend for her horse is killed by bandits while riding him. Ella is upset by this, because of both his death and the possible trauma to the animal. Her water breaks while she...