No one was prepared
for what transpired next. During the course of their conversation
in the living room, after Mamá Elena explained to them the family
tradition which prohibits Tita from marrying, she then offered Rosaura
for marriage with Pedro. Chencha was eavesdropping and went back
to the kitchen to tell Tita, Rosuara and Gertrudis. Tita was devastated.
Later that night, after the
official announcement was made that Rosaura would marry Pedro, Nacha visited
Tita in her bedroom. Tita was void of all emotion. Nacha decided
to relate to her what she had heard Pedro tell his father as they were
leaving the ranch earlier that day:
Pedro's father asked
why Pedro accepted marriage with Rosaura, if he was in love with Tita.
Pedro explained that, if he wanted to be near Tita, his true love, then
the only alternative was to accept marriage with Rosaura.
What a plan!