# Le Roi s’amuse explained — Brewster’s Millions

> Chapter companion for Brewster’s Millions by George Barr McCutcheon.

## What happens

Montgomery Brewster moves his party to a hotel on the Riviera and orchestrates a private carnival for the town, spending lavishly to revive a local saint's day celebration. During the carnival, he rescues Peggy from an aggressive masked reveler, deepening their connection. Later, at Monte Carlo, he tries desperately to lose money at the roulette table but instead wins forty thousand dollars, frustrating his goal of depleting his fortune.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Absurdity of Wealth

Monty's extravagant plan to stage a private carnival and his desperate attempts to lose money at roulette highlight the absurd lengths he goes to in order to spend his fortune.

### Love and Sacrifice

Monty's rescue of Peggy at the carnival and his wish to win her respect by taking her advice, even at the cost of his gambling losses, underscores his deepening feelings for her.

## Character check-ins

### Montgomery Brewster

Arranges a private carnival on the Riviera, spends extravagantly, rescues Peggy at the carnival, and gambles at Monte Carlo, winning $40,000 against his wishes.

### Peggy Gray

Protests Monty's spending, is frightened at the carnival and rescued by Monty, then implores him to stop gambling at Monte Carlo.

### Mrs. Dan DeMille

Skeptical of the carnival scheme but later urges Monty to continue gambling when his luck turns.

### Joe Bragdon

Sarcastically comments on Monty's carnival plans and later escorts Peggy back to the hotel.

### James T. Sedgwick

Participates in the carnival planning and later watches Monty's gambling at Monte Carlo.

### Reggy Vanderpool

Excited about wearing a mask at the carnival, gets into a fight as Punchinello, and is rescued by Monty.

## Key lines

> Why not have another all to ourselves?

Monty proposes staging a private carnival just for his party.

_Shows Monty's impulsive and extravagant nature._

> Cash in when I'm away ahead of the game? Never!

Monty refuses to stop gambling even when winning, because he wants to lose money.

_Highlights Monty's ironic predicament of trying to lose his fortune._

> I wish I had taken your advice... it would have won me your respect.

Monty tells Peggy he regrets not listening to her, valuing her respect over money.

_Reveals Monty's emotional priority for Peggy's approval._

## Links

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- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brewster_s_millions_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brewster_s_millions_se/chapters