How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #13
Florentino shuddered: as she herself had said, she had the sour smell of old age […] It was the smell of fermentation, which he had perceived in his oldest lovers and they had detected in him. (6.188)
The long-awaited consummation of Florentino's love for Fermina is accompanied by yet another reminder of the lovers' mortality. This isn't your typical lovemaking scene.
Quote #14
The Captain looked at Fermina Daza and saw on her eyelashes the first glimmer of wintry frost. Then he looked at Florentino Ariza, his invincible power, his intrepid love, and he was overwhelmed by the belated suspicion that it is life, more than death, that has no limits. (348)
In the end, Florentino's delusional idea that, with love, he can avoid reality – even death – is so inspiring that he even manages to convince the Captain and Fermina of his vision.