The community is aroused, and the finger of suspicion is directed against the unfortunate cousin, Norberto. Especially do Eusebio and his remaining sons believe him guilty, and when justice, on account of lack of proof, does not detain Norberto, they determine to take their own revenge. They lie in wait for him as he is coming to see Raimunda, fall upon him, and wound him. He is carried to Raimunda's home, and there tells her a secret and also some horrible rumors that are being circulated in the community. He discloses that Esteban had long been in love with his stepdaughter Acacia, and that he could not bear the idea of losing her. Therefore he had threatened Norberto with death if he should insist upon marrying his cousin; that was the true reason for the breaking of the engagement. Later, when Acacia was betrothed to an outsider, Esteban could not use threats, but he was driven nearly crazy at the thought of being abandoned by his stepdaughter. He talked matters over with his servant El Rubio, and inflamed him to such an extent that he murdered Faustino. Suspicion has been aroused by certain unguarded statements made by El Rubio while under the influence of wine. The whole community begins to suspect Esteban of the crime. At the beginning of the last act Esteban and El Rubio have gone away, apparently with a vague idea of flight, but they soon return to face justice. Esteban regrets having been an accomplice in murder; El Rubio offers to take the responsibility if Esteban will agree to secure his liberty after a short interval. At this moment Raimunda enters, and accuses her husband of the crime. Together they review their life of the past few years, she criticizing him and he defending himself. He says that he has not been able to endure it; that the presence of the girl Acacia has always made his blood boil; that he has tried to resist, but in vain. If Acacia when a child had only called him father and had loved him, all would have been well. Raimunda takes pity on him when he says this, and assures him that they will live happily after sending Acacia to the house of a relative. Thereupon Acacia enters, and shows hatred and scorn for her stepfather. He is saddened by her attitude, and chides her. Raimunda begs her to call him father, before he gives himself up to justice. Then Acacia can no longer restrain the feelings that she has so long concealed from everybody. Instead of father she calls him Esteban; she embraces him, and Raimunda realizes the final truth. Her daughter has always loved her stepfather. Infuriated, she calls upon everybody within hearing, and tells the dreadful secret. Esteban tries to escape with Acacia, in order to enjoy his newly discovered love. When he finds that he is unable to get away, he fatally wounds his wife, Raimunda. Fatality again places Acacia, the "Ill-beloved," on the side of her mother, and this time forever; Raimunda prepares to die, satisfied with her final victory.