Summary

Consuelo turns eighteen, and many call to send flowers and send their regards. William’s friend, Rutherford, has not given up on courting Consuelo. Alva vows to herself that she will not allow him to marry Consuelo. She and Consuelo return to Europe. Alva intercepts all of Rutherford’s letters as she sets Consuelo up to meet with the Duke of Marlborough. Alva receives a letter from Lady C. which reveals that her daughter has died. Alva breaks her silence and writes her a letter back. She “was unable to offer her condolences without also straying into her justifications for not having written before and trying to litigate all of that. It was as if in opening her heart in a display of sympathy, she could not keep its other needs reined in. Yet she could not leave this letter unanswered” (473).

Alva...