A Strange Disappearance · Chapter
XI: Luttra explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Blake reveals to Mr. Gryce and his companion that the woman in the portrait is his lawful wife, though never acknowledged. He recounts his past: his father's strict expectations, his love for his cousin Evelyn, and a fateful encounter during his travels with a young woman named Luttra, who defied her father and brother to help him escape a dangerous storm. The chapter ends with Luttra's daring intervention to secure his departure from the perilous house.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Social Reputation
Blake's secret marriage and his fear of gossip and scandal drive his confession and plea for discretion.
Family and Control
Blake's father imposes strict expectations; Luttra's father and brother attempt to control her and Blake, but she defies them.
Love and Sacrifice
Luttra risks her safety and defies her family to protect Blake, burning money to force her father's compliance.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Blake
Reveals the portrait is of his secret wife and narrates his past, including his father's influence and his encounter with Luttra.
- Mr. Gryce
Present during Blake's confession; assures discretion regarding matters outside police duty.
- Luttra
The young woman who defies her father and brother to help Blake escape the storm; she is later revealed to be Blake's secret wife.
- Miss Evelyn Blake
Blake's cousin, whose charms initially impressed him but whose union was opposed by his father.
- The Master of the House
Luttra's father, a man of strong will who threatens Blake but is ultimately forced to let him leave.
Key passages
“Gentlemen, ... you have presumed, and not without reason I should say, to infer that the original of this portrait and the woman who has so long occupied the position of sewing-woman in my house, are one and the same. You will no longer retain that opinion when I inform you that this picture, strange as it may appear to you, is the likeness of my wife.”
Blake tells the detectives that the woman in the portrait is not the sewing-woman but his wife.
Blake's revelation that the portrait is of his secret wife, not the sewing-woman.
“She was never acknowledged by me as my wife, nor have we ever lived together, but if priestly benediction can make a man and woman one, that woman as you see her there is my lawful wife.”
Blake admits he never publicly recognized her as his wife and they never lived together, but they are legally married.
Blake clarifies the nature of his marriage: legal but hidden.
“I am not called upon to go any further with you than this. I have told you what no man till this hour has ever heard from my lips, and it should serve to exonerate me from any unjust suspicions you may have entertained.”
Blake says he has revealed his secret to clear himself of suspicion and hopes that is enough.
Blake's attempt to exonerate himself by revealing his marriage.
“Difficult as it is for me to introduce into a relation like this the name of my father, I shall be obliged to do so in order to make my conduct at a momentous crisis of my life intelligible to you.”
Blake reluctantly brings up his father to explain his actions during a critical time.
Blake begins his backstory by mentioning his father's influence.
“I want you to put this on, and come with me. The house is unsafe for you to remain in. Hear how it cracks and trembles. Another blast like that and we shall be roofless.”
Luttra urges Blake to dress and leave with her because the house is dangerously unstable in the storm.
Luttra's warning and insistence that Blake leave the house.
“Stand still! ... Karl, open the door and let this gentleman pass. He finds the house unsafe in such a gale and desires to leave it. At once! I don't often ask favors.”
Luttra commands her brother to open the door, asserting her authority and rare request.
Luttra's forceful demand that her brother let Blake leave.
