A Escrava Isaura 2.84 · 2.84

Note the odd little hinge, 'apezar de sua grande belleza' — in spite of her great beauty. Why 'in spite of'? Because beauty and brilliance in a slave-girl might have bred resentment or unease; the marvel is that Isaura's were joined to a sweetness so complete that instead of envy she drew 'a benevolencia de todos', everyone's goodwill, at first sight. It is a lovely stroke — and a foreboding one. Her beauty is the very thing the chapter keeps circling, and 'winning everyone at first meeting' is exactly what she has already, unknowingly, done to Leôncio. The gift that earns her love from good hearts is the same gift that has drawn the eye of the bad one.

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