Chapter 7 - The Brothers Summary

Clara and Blanca retire to their home in the city, the year being circa 1959. After a multi-year absence it needs cleaning and restoration and they perform these tasks. Jaime and Nicolás return home from school as graduates. Trueba remains in the country until he learns, second-hand, that Blanca is pregnant by Pedro Garcia. Trueba responds by arranging a marriage between Blanca and Jean de Satigny. Blanca is not consulted; de Satigny agrees because Blanca is to come with a notable monthly stipend. Trueba believes the contrivance will protect the family name and prevent Blanca's child from being born a bastard. In order to secure Blanca's agreement, Trueba tells her that Pedro Tercero is dead—that he himself has murdered her lover. Later, Clara tells Blanca that she has learned from the spirits that in fact...