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Simão brought with him from Viseu to Coimbra great pride in his own bravery. He liked to remember the fountain fight in all its details. The blows, the injured men and the broken water jars gave him pleasure. The narrator compares him to soldiers in plays who recount victories. Simão was more dangerous, for those memories drove him towards fresh violence.
The University of Coimbra was then living through a time of great unrest. Many young students sympathised with new ideas of liberty. At times, they showed more passion for novelty than real understanding. Books by the thinkers of the French Revolution were already circulating in Portugal. Some people believed that violence could create a new society. There was also great anger at British influence and damaging treaties. Portugal tried to remain neutral, but Spain and France invaded the country. The Peace of Badajoz brought the loss of Olivenza and payments to France. Some hated Napoleon, while others wanted an alliance with France.
Simão belonged to the group that wanted to break with Britain. Despite being sixteen, he had great influence among the students. He admired radical leaders of the French Revolution, such as Danton and Robespierre. Criticising those men in front of him was a personal offence. Simão answered with slaps and pistols ready to fire. He wanted to free Portugal from tyrants. Yet he argued that this freedom should be born in a bath of blood. His idea of liberty therefore became a call for violence. Even former supporters withdrew and reported him to the rector.
One day, Simão was speaking in Sansão Square to a small audience. Some still listened to him out of fear. The university guards arrived during the speech. Simão tried to resist and reached for his pistols. The guards were strong and disarmed him. They took him to the university prison. Simão remained there for six months. Friends of his father and relatives of Rita Preciosa finally secured his release.
Simão lost his academic year and returned to Viseu. His father refused to receive him and threatened to turn him out of the house. His mother intervened more from duty than from affection. Thanks to her, Simão sat at the family table again. Over the next three months, the young man's behaviour changed greatly. He abandoned his former companions from the streets. He seldom went out, either alone or with his sister Rita. He sought out fields, trees and dark, quiet places. On summer nights, he stayed outside until daybreak. He seemed thoughtful and withdrawn from ordinary life. Rita Preciosa was astonished, and only five months later did Domingos allow Simão to speak to him. A single word explained this change: love.
Teresa de Albuquerque was a fifteen-year-old neighbour. She was a wealthy heiress from a good family and was quite pretty. Simão first saw her from his bedroom window. From that moment, he loved her for ever. Teresa loved him too. Her feelings were serious and steadfast despite her age. For the narrator, Teresa might be an exception among adolescent loves. The facing windows became the two young people's secret meeting place.
Tadeu de Albuquerque, Teresa's father, hated the Botelho family. Domingos had ruled against him in several lawsuits. Furthermore, two of Tadeu's servants had been injured at the fountain. The young people's mutual love therefore faced an old hostility. For three months, Simão and Teresa saw and spoke to each other through the windows. They were so discreet that nobody in either family suspected anything. The future they planned was honourable. Simão wanted to complete his studies and earn a respectable position. In that way, he could support Teresa as his wife. Teresa would wait for her father's death before deciding her own future and inheriting his estate. Love disciplined Simão, but it did not erase his violent force.
On the eve of the journey, they said goodbye at their windows. Teresa wept with sadness because of their separation. Suddenly, someone pulled her away from the window. Simão heard the young woman's groans. Blood rushed to his head, and he lost control. In his room, he seemed like a tiger trapped in a cage. He thought of killing himself and spent the night imagining acts of revenge. At dawn, he became calmer and recovered his hope. He decided to go to Coimbra, wait for news and return in secret. He understood that remaining in Viseu could make Teresa's situation worse.
His mother saw his face and tried to delay the journey. Simão insisted, embraced his mother and sisters, and kissed his father's hand. Domingos warned that he would abandon him if he returned to his former excesses. As he mounted, Simão saw an old beggar holding a piece of paper. He took the paper and read the letter a few steps later. My father wants to shut me in a convent because of you. I will suffer everything for love of you, but do not forget me. In the convent or in heaven, I will always be faithful. Leave for Coimbra; you will receive my letters there, and in the first I shall tell you under what name to reply.
Simão's new transformation surprised the whole university. Outside lessons, he was no longer seen on the streets or involved in disturbances. He kept only the sensible classmates who had helped him in prison. He studied fervently to build a respectable life with Teresa. He kept his secret in the long letters he sent her. Teresa wrote often, and her news gave him hope. That hope increased his love of study. He answered difficult questions well and earned the respect of his teachers. His teachers and classmates regarded him as the best student.
Manoel heard about Simão's change and went to live with him in Coimbra. He found Simão calm but deeply absorbed in his secret love. Manoel fell in love with a married woman from the Azores, and the brothers parted. In February 1803, Simão received a new letter from Teresa. The letter brought a painful surprise, explained in the next chapter.