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Baltasar was in the drawing room during the celebration. He pretended not to care about Teresa. Inside, he wanted revenge on her. His sisters and the other relatives surrounded the young woman. They asked her to make peace with her cousin. In that way, she would give her old father joy before his death. Teresa replied that she bore Baltasar no ill will. She would be his friend as long as she kept her heart free.
Tadeu expected much from that evening. Some relatives had advised celebrations and visits. They wanted to turn Teresa's thoughts away from Simão. They also wanted to introduce her to other men. They hoped that Simão would lose value in her eyes. Tadeu did not much like that plan. He now preferred peace and economy. Even so, he opened the house to music and dancing. There was a minuet and games typical of that period. The celebration was meant to change Teresa's heart.
Teresa felt no joy at all. From ten o'clock onwards, she seemed distant from the guests. Baltasar noticed her unease. He imagined that she was suffering because of his coldness. He approached with a grave and sorrowful air. He apologised for his apparent indifference. He compared himself to a mountain that was cold outside and burning within. Teresa said that she had not even noticed his coldness. Then she called a girl to remain beside her. Shortly afterwards, she left the room.
It was a quarter to eleven. Teresa ran to the garden door. She opened it, but Simão had not yet arrived. She hurried back to the drawing room. Baltasar had followed her and was watching her from a window. Teresa did not realise that he had seen her. They entered the drawing room at the same time through different doors. A few minutes later, Teresa went out again. Baltasar followed her again. Teresa heard the sound of a horse in the distance. She was wearing a cloak to hide her white dress. Baltasar hid so that he would not be seen. Even so, Teresa saw a figure moving away. Frightened, she went back and left the cloak behind. She entered the drawing room pale and breathless.
Tadeu asked why she had gone out twice. Teresa said that she was in pain. She needed to go outside for some air. Her father believed her. Teresa also noticed her cousin's absence. She pretended that she was going to look for him. That decision greatly pleased Tadeu. Teresa went down to the garden and ran to the door. This time, Simão was waiting. Go away. Come back tomorrow at the same time. Those were the only words of the meeting. The young couple neither kissed nor embraced.
While Teresa spoke, Simão was watching a figure. The man was approaching beside the wall. Simão's companion saw him too. He gave a signal and wedged the reins between some stones. In that way, he could help Simão if necessary. Baltasar stopped six paces from Simão. The companion began to approach. Simão told him to stay where he was. Then he readied two pistols and advanced. This place is not a public road. What do you want here? Baltasar did not reply at once. Simão threatened to open his mouth with a bullet. Baltasar replied that he too might have a secret. Simão said that one family and one woman lived there. Baltasar pointed out that there were many women there that night. If Simão was waiting for one, he could be waiting for another. They both refused to give their names. They exchanged threats without revealing their identities. Baltasar withdrew and wished him good night. He thought that his sword could not overcome two pistols.
Simão mounted and returned to João's house. Baltasar returned to the drawing room without showing any emotion. Teresa watched him from the corner of her eye. His feigned calm reassured her. The guests then began to leave. Baltasar and his sisters remained in Tadeu's house. They planned to remain in Viseu for eight days. Teresa spent the rest of the night writing. She told Simão about all her fears. She apologised for not warning him about the celebration. The joy of his arrival had made her forget that danger. The meeting on the following night was still arranged. Simão thought that the figure was Baltasar. He feared that Tadeu already knew about the visit. At first, he wrote the truth about the encounter. Then he wrote another letter without showing fear. He wanted to appear a courageous lover. He spent the day waiting and thinking about the danger. However, he called prudence cowardice.
João da Cruz had a daughter named Mariana. Mariana was twenty-four years old. She had a beautiful, sad face. Simão noticed that she watched him for a long time. He asked her the reason for that look. Mariana blushed and smiled sadly. My heart foresees a disaster for you. Simão thought that she knew about his life. Mariana replied that she knew something. João knew Domingos and also knew Simão. Mariana had heard her father speaking to the horseman. The danger came from a noblewoman in Viseu and her cousin. Simão was astonished by the news. He believed that the secret belonged only to two families. He was about to ask for more information when João entered. Mariana quickly left through another door. Mariana's look and warning showed her concern. But Mariana did not yet say what she felt.
João locked both doors from the inside. He sat on a chest in front of Simão. He apologised for being in his shirtsleeves. Then he explained his debt to Domingos. Years earlier, there had been a disturbance beside the workshop. A mule kicked a mare that João was shoeing. The kick broke one of the mare's legs. João lost his temper and struck the mule with a hammer. The animal fell to the ground. The mule's owner fired at João. The bullet wounded the farrier's left arm. João went into the house and brought out a gun. He shot the man in the chest and killed him.
The authorities imprisoned João in Viseu. He remained in prison for three years. Many people said that he would die on the gallows. A prisoner advised him to ask Domingos for help. João spoke to the magistrate as he passed on his way to Mass. He asked for help in the name of Our Lady's Seven Sorrows. Domingos sent for João and listened to his story. João told him everything and showed him the scars. Domingos promised to do what he could. In the end, João was acquitted. For that reason, he felt a great debt to Domingos. João recounted the violence without denying his guilt.
He then revealed an even more dangerous story. Before becoming a farrier, he had served in Baltasar's household. Baltasar had lent him ten gold coins to start his workshop. João had already repaid that money. About six months earlier, Baltasar had summoned him. He offered him thirty gold coins for a service. He wanted João to kill a man. João refused to kill Simão for money. For him, killing in a fight was different. He did not want to become a paid killer. The man Baltasar wanted dead was Simão. Simão heard the news without changing colour. João was astonished by his calmness. When he heard the name, João wanted to strike Baltasar. Baltasar did not explain the reason for the contract.
The following week, João went to Domingos. He told him all about Baltasar's proposal. Domingos understood the reason at once. He said that Simão should not look at Baltasar's cousin. He called Baltasar a murderer and insulted his own son. He would never allow a union with Tadeu's daughter. In that way, João understood the secret of the two families. He now knew that Simão had gone to Viseu. His brother-in-law had told him about the encounter by the garden.
If you go back there, prepare yourself for greater danger. João knew that Simão was not a coward. But no one is safe from treachery. João offered to accompany the young man. He still kept the gun that had killed the muleteer. Even so, he advised Simão to avoid night-time fights. The best course was to ask his father's permission to marry. If Teresa agreed, João also had another plan. He could quickly put her on a mare. They would then escape before Tadeu and Baltasar could react. João's protection combined generosity and violence.
Simão thanked him and called him a friend. He said that he would use his help when it was needed. That night, he would return to Viseu alone. If anything happened, he would call João. João did not argue with him. He went to examine his old gun. He also agreed the necessary precautions with his brother-in-law. He unloaded the gun and loaded it again. He used special shot for the following night.
Meanwhile, Mariana returned to the room. So is it certain that you are going? I am. Why should I not go? May Our Lady go with you. Mariana left at once to hide her tears. Mariana was beginning to care for Simão. But she did not yet say what she felt. Simão continued to think only of Teresa.