The History of Doña Mencía de Mosquera explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Self-Interest

  Doña Mencía's love for Don Alvar is tested by his apparent death and her subsequent marriage to the Marquis; Don Alvar's selfless offer to leave her in comfort contrasts with his eventual plan to abduct her.

• Fortune and Fate

  The narrative is driven by misfortunes: Don Alvar's flight, false news of his death, Mencía's remarriage, and his eventual death at the hands of banditti.

• Deception and Appearance

  Don Alvar disguises himself as a gardener to gain access to Mencía; Mencía's second marriage is based on the mistaken belief of his death.

Characters to notice

• Doña Mencía

  Narrates her own history: first marriage to Don Alvar de Mello, second marriage to the Marquis de la Guardia, and reunion with Don Alvar.

• Don Alvar de Mello

  First husband of Doña Mencía; kills a rival, flees, is enslaved for five years, returns disguised as a gardener, and is killed by banditti.

• Gil Blas

  Present as a listener to Doña Mencía's story; was with the banditti who killed Don Alvar.

• Captain Rolando

  Leader of the banditti who attacked Don Alvar and his party.

Key passages

• “I was born at Valladolid, and am called Doña Mencía de Mosquera. My father, Don Martín, after spending most of his family estate in the service, was killed in Portugal at the head of his regiment.”

  Doña Mencía introduces herself as the daughter of a soldier who died in Portugal, leaving her with little inheritance.

  Establishes Mencía's background and modest fortune.

• “My favorite was Don Alvar de Mello. It is true he had a prettier person than his rivals; but more solid qualities determined me in his favor. He had wit, discretion, valor, probity; and in addition to all these, an air of fashion.”

  Mencía chose Don Alvar for his charm and virtues, not just his looks.

  Highlights the qualities that won Mencía's heart.

• “A few days after our nuptials, he met Don Andrew de Baësa, who had been his rival, in a private place. They attacked one another sword in hand, and Don Andrew fell.”

  Shortly after their wedding, Don Alvar killed his rival in a duel.

  The duel forces Don Alvar to flee.

• “He returned home speedily, and told me what had happened while his horse was getting ready. “My dear Mencía,” said he at length, “we must part.””

  Don Alvar rushes home to tell Mencía they must separate because of the killing.

  The emotional farewell scene.

• “He had indeed pledged himself, in the melancholy moments of our parting, to be punctual in acquainting me with his destiny, to whatever part of the world his evil star might conduct him. And yet seven years rolled on without my hearing of him.”

  Don Alvar promised to write, but Mencía received no news for seven years.

  The long silence leads to the belief in his death.

• “At last I heard of his falling in battle, under the Portuguese banner, in the kingdom of Fez. A man newly returned from Africa brought me the account, with the assurance that he had been well acquainted with Don Alvar de Mello; had served with him in the army, and had seen him drop in the action.”

  A traveler reported that Don Alvar died fighting in Fez, convincing Mencía he was dead.

  The false report that leads to her second marriage.