2 ?b90

86
to be "la quintaesencia de lo criollo" (1,145), Rialta in her turn
"por la primera vez habla fijado el rostro de aquel amigo de su hermano"
(1,146). As we have seen, Rialta's smile ensures love at first sight
and the formal introduction of the families is effected by the extra-
ordinary scene made by the insane suitor, Dr. Zunhill. The only pos-
sible stumbling block to the union, La Mela, the separatist grandmother,
is thwarted by Jos4 Eugenio's diplomatic speech at his first dinner in
the Olaya household. No sooner has the curtain dropped on this decisive
scene than the reader is swept into another, in which Jos6 Eugenio is
seen admiring his dress uniform before two mirrors, being aided by Luis
Ruda. It is not revealed that this is the long awaited day on which
the two families will be united until the details of Josd Eugenio's
finery
have been described.
The reader suddenly finds himself caught up in the bustle of last-
minute preparations and minor crises. There has been no attempt to de-
scribe the courtship of the couple and no reference whatsoever to any
physical desire, although their attractive personalities have been clear-
ly revealed. Their ages are no longer a mystery since we know already
that Rialta is two years younger than her husband and she is described
thus, at the turning point in her life:
Lucia Rialta esplgndidamente sus veinte aiios y al enfrentarse
con su destino ostentaba sonriente el tran-
quilo rielar de la casta Venus. Siempre a
los fami-
liares ya los extraWos, les causaria esa impresidn
como de caminar sobre las aguas. De quien, en los
peligros, oye una voz que le avisa del buen t6rmino
de sus designios (1,169-70).
Jos6 Eugenio presents an equally impressive figure and he too is noted
for the qualities which other people value in his character: