Mary Lavelle Part II

Mary feels sorry for her fellow Irish women, who have such restricted lives, and she at least is comforted by the thought that John Loves her and wants to marry her. She finds that Dona Consuelo, the mother of her 3 charges, is not too happy with such a pretty governess. Her eldest daughter Pilar is nearly 18 and due to come out in society, and while she is pretty, Mary outshines her. Don Pablo, the father is a quiet rather sad man who loves his wife but has little in common with her, and he is a little disapproving of her for her social climbing. He loves his son Juan, who has recently married, and the daughters, Pilar Nieves and MIilagros, but his marriage has been a bit of a disappointment to him... and he regrets the fact that he has never been able to get involved in working for political reform in Spain. Consuelo is not unpleasant but she is a bit of a snob and did not want her husband to get involved in radical politics which would impinge on her own social climbing. Don Pablo's health has declined over the years and he leads a quiet life, writing and trying to educate working men. Juan however has become a radical and has now married a rich socialite who is willing to support his political work. Mary leads a quiet life, looking after the girls and trying to teach them some English, and writing home to John and her family. THen Juan and Luisa, his wife, come for a visit. Mary finds herself unable to resist an attraction towards the young man who is very handsome, though he is newly married with a son. She is unaware that Don Pablo also has become attracted to her beauty and innocent demeanour, the sort of romantic love he hoped to experience with his wife, but never did. He has no wish to seduce her, as he is an honourable man, but he has a feeling for her.