# Reggie's Wedding Morning explained — A Damsel in Distress

> Chapter companion for A Damsel in Distress by P. G. Wodehouse.

## What happens

Reggie Byng, in high spirits, reveals to George Bevan that he is marrying Alice Faraday that morning in a secret ceremony to avoid his mother's interference. He recounts how he got drunk at the coming-of-age ball, which led Alice to want to 'save' him, and how anonymous letters with romantic advice helped him win her. Reggie asks George to be his best man, and George agrees. They prepare to drive to London for the wedding.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love vs. Duty

Reggie's secret marriage to Alice Faraday defies his mother's expectations and societal duty, prioritizing personal love over family obligation.

### Rebellion Against Authority

Reggie's clandestine wedding is a direct act of rebellion against his mother's authority and the social pressures of his class.

### The Comedy of Errors

Reggie's mistaken identity of a waiter for George at the ball, and the humorous anonymous letters, contribute to the farcical tone of the chapter.

## Character check-ins

### Reggie Byng

Ecstatic and talkative, Reggie shares his wedding plans and the story of how he won Alice Faraday, including his drunkenness at the ball and the anonymous letters that guided him.

### George Bevan

Despondent about his own romantic troubles, George listens to Reggie's news and agrees to serve as best man, masking his personal pain.

### Alice Faraday

Mentioned as Reggie's bride-to-be; she has already sneaked off to London to prepare for the secret wedding.

### Lord Marshmoreton

Mentioned as having gone to London the previous day, which facilitated Alice's escape.

### Lady Maud Marsh

Referenced indirectly as the object of George's affection; Reggie notes that Maud loves George, but George does not confide his troubles.

## Key lines

> I got pickled to the eyebrows!

I got extremely drunk.

_Reggie describes his state at the coming-of-age ball, which inadvertently helped him win Alice._

> I thought one of the waiters was you!

I mistook a waiter for you.

_Reggie's drunken misidentification at the ball, a key moment in his story._

> I've got the infallible dope.

I have the perfect advice or method.

_Reggie claims to have mastered the art of winning a girl's heart._

> Ding dong! Ding Dong! Hurry along! For it is my wedding-morning!

The wedding day has arrived, let's hurry.

_Reggie sings a fragment of 'The Yeoman's Wedding-Song' in his excitement._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters/xx
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_damsel_in_distress_se/chapters