Valentina arrives by coach at La Casilla expecting triumph, but the grandeur only makes her nauseated and anxious. Marius sits at ease in his finery, while Luzia—painted pale to hide freckles and squeezed into a severe black gown and corset—looks equally miserable.

As they prepare to disembark, Valentina bristles when the widow, Catalina de Castro de Oro, moves to exit ahead of her. Valentina hisses that Catalina is Don Víctor’s whore, but Catalina replies coolly and crudely, warning that scandal in this place could doom them all and urging restraint.

Humiliated, Valentina snaps at Luzia, shoves her back into the seat, and then takes Marius’s arm to maintain appearances. Marius notices Valentina’s unsteady breathing and, trying to soothe her, offers an uncharacteristic compliment on her new green gown.

Inside La Casilla, Valentina is overwhelmed by its opulence and tries to steady herself by reminding herself Antonio Pérez is still just a man, however feared. Don Víctor arrives with Santángel close behind, gives no greeting to Valentina or Marius, and briskly directs the group onward.

Valentina asks about refreshing and rooms, but Catalina explains they will not be granted accommodations until after the first trial. With nothing else to do, Valentina and Marius trail after them, and Marius admits their fate—and whether all their preparations matter—now depends on Luzia.