# XIII: A Man’s Heart explained — A Strange Disappearance

> Chapter companion for A Strange Disappearance by Anna Katharine Green.

## What happens

Mr. Blake recounts the story of his secret marriage to Luttra, his father's shock and death, his growing obsession with Luttra's image, and his desperate search for her after she disappeared. He describes painting her portrait, his failed attempts to find her, and his suspicion that the missing sewing girl may be connected to Luttra.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obsession and Guilt

Mr. Blake is consumed by guilt over his treatment of Luttra and obsessively paints her portrait, unable to forget her.

### Secrecy and Social Reputation

Mr. Blake's secret marriage to Luttra and his shame over her criminal family drive his hidden anguish.

### Love and Sacrifice

Luttra's selfless love is shown in her leaving him, and Mr. Blake's later devotion to finding her reflects sacrificial love.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Blake

Narrates his past marriage to Luttra, his father's death, and his obsessive search for his wife.

### Luttra

Mr. Blake's secret wife who left him after their marriage; her image haunts him.

### Miss Evelyn Blake

Engaged to Count De Mirac; Mr. Blake visits her but finds he no longer loves her.

### Mrs. Daniels

Enters at the end of the chapter as Mr. Blake is about to mention her.

### The Girl

The sewing girl who disappeared; Mr. Blake recalls seeing her face through the gate.

### Emily

Mentioned as the sewing girl who lived in Mr. Blake's house and disappeared.

## Key lines

> That was the last time my eyes ever rested upon my wife. Whither she went or what refuge she gained, I never knew.

Mr. Blake never saw his wife again after that moment and had no idea where she went or found shelter.

_Mr. Blake describes the final parting from Luttra._

> I would seek my wife throughout the world and bring her back if I found her in prison between the men whose existence was a curse to my pride.

He resolved to search everywhere for his wife, even if she were imprisoned with her criminal father and brother.

_Mr. Blake's determination to find Luttra despite his shame._

> The painting you have seen this night is the result. Born with an artist’s touch and insight that under other circumstances might, perhaps, have raised me into the cold dry atmosphere of fame, the execution of this piece of work, presented but few difficulties to my somewhat accustomed hand.

The portrait he showed was painted by himself; his natural artistic skill made it easy to create.

_Mr. Blake explains how he painted Luttra's portrait._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters/xiii-a-man-s-heart
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_strange_disappearance_se/chapters