The narrative unfolds in colonial Mexico, centering on a young woman named Beatrice de Espinosa, who is renowned for her beauty and virtue. Despite numerous suitors, none meet her standards, leading her father to reject their proposals. At a grand ball hosted by the Viceroy, Beatrice encounters Don Martin Scipoli, an Italian nobleman. They fall deeply in love, but his intense jealousy and quarrelsome nature disturb her, raising doubts about the purity of his affection. Beatrice fears that his love is superficial, based solely on her physical beauty, and is troubled by the violence his jealousy incites against her other admirers. In a desperate attempt to test the authenticity of his love and eliminate jealousy, she resolves to disfigure her own beauty. With her father away and the household servants absent, she prepares a brazier of burning coals in her chamber, invoking the spirit of Santa Lucia for strength. In a moment of anguish, Beatrice plunges her face into the coals, sacrificing her beauty to prove the depth of their love. After enduring the pain, she calls for Don Martin, who finds her veiled in white, her face horrifically burned yet her eyes still alive. As she unveils her disfigured visage, he is initially horrified but ultimately filled with joy and gratitude, realizing that his love must transcend physical appearance. The story concludes with their union, as Don Martin learns to love Beatrice for her inner qualities rather than her outward beauty. The transformation of the street's name to "Calle de la Quemada" serves as a poignant reminder of Beatrice's sacrifice and the nature of true love. The narrator reflects on the irrationality of Beatrice's actions, suggesting that Don Martin's annoyance was justified, yet the tale ultimately champions the idea of love that goes beyond mere physical attraction.
By Thomas A. Janvier · First published 1894 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Tragedy