A month passed, and Leonor's efforts to try to help her were futile, because Smarald had not changed her attitude; on the contrary, she seemed to be increasingly distant, as if her thoughts were elsewhere. There were times when her gaze seemed lost, as if she had memories of

past times. Indeed, Leonor's perception was not misguided, Smarald kept thinking about Michael and, through her thoughts, remembered certain unforgettable moments, when they