The Emperor of Brazil is upset that his wife is fat and ugly, cries a lot.

>The information he had received concerning the empress’s virtues notwithstanding, [Dom Pedro](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Pedro_II_circa_1887b_transparent.png) could see only her defects: [Teresa Cristina](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/Teresa_cristina_of_brazil_circa_1851_frame_removed.png) was small and fat; worse, she was lame and ugly. Disappointment was imprinted on the young monarch’s face, and it is said that he wept in the arms of the countess of Belmonte, Dadama, his governess. >>In the early days the disappointed young man no longer had that self-possessed and laconic temperament, and he openly bewailed his fate: first, in Dadama’s lap, then on Paulo Barbosa’s shoulder… He did not lack comfort and encouragement, however: “Remember the dignity of your position,” the steward said to him. “Do your duty, my son,” the countess of Belmonte said hesitatingly. ______________________________ **Source:** Gledson, John, and Lilia Moritz. Schwarcz. “The Great Emperor.” *The Emperor's Beard: Dom Pedro II and the Tropical Monarchy of Brazil*. New York: Hill and Wang, 2004. 66. Print. **Original Source Listed:** Sodré, *Abrindo um cofre*, 11. ______________________________ **Further Reading:** [Dom Pedro II of Brazil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_II_of_Brazil) [Dona Teresa Cristina of the Two Sicilies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_Cristina_of_the_Two_Sicilies)