La dama del alba ("The Lady of the Dawn" in English) is a Spanish play written by playwright Alejandro Casona in 1944.
It is revealed that the mother mysteriously lost a daughter, Angelica, to the large river in their town four years ago.
Angelica was married to a young man named Martin three days before her apparent death.
Since pilgrims are said to bring blessings upon the houses they visit, the family allows her inside.
The Grandfather realizes that The Pilgrim is the personification of death; he recognizes her from a near-death experience he had years before in the mine accident which killed all the children, total of seven, of the family servant, Telva.
Described in very human terms in the play, she explains she is merely fulfilling her mission, and doesn't like having to be present whenever someone dies.
Meanwhile, Martin brings back a girl by the name of Adela, who had tried to commit suicide in the river.
Adela becomes part of the family, unwittingly beginning to take the role that Angelica had once had, as daughter, lover, and sister.
The grandfather feels uncomfortable with Adela taking the place of Angelica, and also fears this, because of The Pilgrim's future return.
It is Angelica's proper time to die; she must join the pilgrim in the river (that is, drown herself) in order to preserve her image and prevent any shame from being brought upon the family.
When Angelica's body is found, seemingly perfectly preserved after supposedly being dead for years, the mother announces that it is a miracle.