When Dona Maria was a little kid her mother wanted her to main stream with popular pretty girls. She was never really accepted, because she was a little awkward and never picked up on social cues. Her mother pushed her into these groups and wanted her to be something she was not. When she turned 20 she married a ruined nobleman. Dona Maria had a child, Dona Clara.

Dona Clara didn't like listening to her mother. She thought that she was insignificant. Dona Clara left to go to Spain. Dona Maria wanted her daughter to love her so much that he sent her extravagant letters. These letters were so good that they were put into textbooks for school boys to study.

Since Dona Maria was Marquesa de Montemayer she had much influence over many people. Her servant Pepita had a lot to do with Dona Maria. She made Dona Maria feel courage and independent. Pepita also made Dona Maria notice that she doesn't need to give people stuff to make them like her.

Well of course she died from the fall of the bridge, but you could say she killed her old-self to make way for her rebirth. Her rebirth happened when she figured out that she needed to be more independent and live bravely in the true love of God. I believe when she fell from the bridge that it was time for her to go.