
The narrator, a cautious businessman, first encounters Enriqueta—known as “la Vistosa”—while working alongside his jealous friend Perico. Their professional dealings force frequent meetings, and the narrator must tread carefully around the striking, outspoken woman who seems to command attention wherever she goes. From the start, Enriqueta’s sharp wit and unapologetic frankness set her apart, and she quickly tests the limits of the narrator’s prudence.
Behind her flamboyant reputation lies a woman adept at navigating Madrid’s tangled social circles, using charm, gifts, and bold conversation to shape her destiny. She hints at past entanglements that have left men broken and reputations tarnished, while still pursuing new, precarious alliances. As the story unfolds, listeners are drawn into a world of jealousy, ambition, and the precarious balance between appearance and morality, all seen through the narrator’s wary yet intrigued eyes.
Language
es
Duration
~50 minutes (48K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2009-02-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1852–1923
A sharp-eyed Spanish novelist, journalist, and art critic, his work explored social manners, moral pressure, and everyday life in late 19th-century Spain. He moved easily between literature, journalism, politics, and the art world, giving his writing a lively, observant edge.
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