It all begins with the description of the house – “O Ramalhete” – in Lisbon, which is neither fresh nor pastoral. The name comes from a tile panel featuring a bouquet of sunflowers, placed where a coat of arms should have been.

Afonso da Maia married Maria Eduarda Runa, and from this marriage, they had only one child – Pedro da Maia. Pedro, who was raised with a typically romantic education, was very close to his mother. After her death, he was inconsolable, only recovering when he met a woman named Maria Monforte, whom he married despite Afonso’s disapproval.

This marriage produced two children: Carlos Eduardo and Maria Eduarda. Some time later, Maria Monforte fell in love with Tancredo (an Italian whom Pedro accidentally injured and took into his home) and ran away with him to Italy, taking their daughter, Maria Eduarda, with her. Upon learning this, the heartbroken Pedro returned with Carlos to Afonso’s house, where he took his own life. Carlos remained with his grandfather, where he was raised in an English manner (just as Afonso had wished for Pedro).