# XX explained — Beauvallet

> Chapter companion for Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer.

## What happens

Dominica and her aunt flee Madrid in a coach, with Dominica riding part of the way for freedom. Their journey is interrupted by masked riders who stage a fake attack; Dominica is captured and taken to a lodge, while Doña Beatrice suspects her son Don Diego is behind the scheme.

## Themes in this chapter

### Adventure and Risk

Dominica's escape and the staged attack highlight the dangers and uncertainties of her journey.

### Power and Authority

Don Diego's orchestration of the capture demonstrates his control over the situation, while Doña Beatrice's calm observation shows her own authority.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Dominica feels like a traitress for fleeing Beauvallet, and the guards' complicity in the staged attack suggests betrayal.

## Character check-ins

### Doña Dominica de Rada y Sylva

Flees Madrid with her aunt, rides for exercise, and is captured by masked riders during a staged attack.

### Doña Beatrice de Carvalho

Organizes the hasty journey, observes the attack calmly, and deduces her son Don Diego is behind the capture.

### Don Diego de Carvalho

Implied to have orchestrated the masked attack to capture Dominica, though not present in the chapter.

### Joshua Dimmock

Mentioned as having advised Dominica to flee; his optimism cannot allay her fears.

### Carmelita

Doña Beatrice's tirewoman, who screams in fear during the attack.

## Key lines

> The big coach that bore Dominica away from Madrid pushed northwards with what speed it could make.

The large carriage carrying Dominica hurried north from Madrid as fast as possible.

_Describes the beginning of their escape journey._

> She slashed at the masked face with her whip; the leather thong cut the mask across, and revealed an unshaven chin, a thick nose, and the fast rising weal of the whiplash.

Dominica struck the masked man with her whip, tearing the mask and exposing his unshaven face and a fresh welt.

_Shows Dominica's fierce resistance during the attack._

> A woman should know her own son.

A mother can recognize her own child.

_Doña Beatrice realizes Don Diego is behind the attack._

## Links

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