Catriona · Chapter
The Return of James More explained
David Balfour is awakened by the unexpected arrival of James More, Catriona's father.
What happens
David Balfour is awakened by the unexpected arrival of James More, Catriona's father. The two engage in a tense and awkward conversation about the circumstances of Catriona's stay with David, with James More expressing displeasure at the impropriety of the situation. David defends his actions, pointing out James More's neglect and the lack of alternatives. After a heated exchange, James More's demeanor softens when money is mentioned, and he accepts David's offer of hospitality and a meal. David then goes to inform Catriona of her father's arrival.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Duty
David insists on his honorable treatment of Catriona and his duty to protect her, while James More questions the propriety of the arrangement.
Deception and Manipulation
James More's demeanor shifts when money is mentioned, revealing his manipulative nature and self-interest beneath his dignified exterior.
Social Class and Identity
The contrast between David's modest lodgings and James More's pretensions of gentility highlights tensions of social class and identity.
Characters to notice
- David Balfour
Awakened by James More's arrival, David defends his care of Catriona and negotiates with her father, offering him lodging and a meal.
- James More Macgregor
Arrives unexpectedly at David's lodgings, confronts David about Catriona's situation, and accepts David's hospitality after a tense discussion.
- Catriona Drummond
Present in the adjacent chamber, she is the subject of the conversation between David and her father, and is informed of her father's arrival by David.
- Sprott
Mentioned as James More's agent in Helvoet, who was unhelpful and demanded a fee from David.
- Lord Advocate Prestongrange
Referenced by James More as a 'false-face' who entrapped him.
- Mr. Gebbie
Mentioned as the person who should have accompanied Catriona ashore but failed to do so.
Key passages
“I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer. I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation. Here were the means come to me upon two legs, and joy was the hindmost of my thoughts.”
David reflects that James More's arrival, though troubling, provides a solution to his dilemma of needing to separate from Catriona, but he feels no joy about it.
David's conflicted feelings about James More's return as both a relief and a new source of anxiety.
“I think no shame of a poverty I have come by in the service of my king; I make no secret that my affairs are quite involved; and for the moment, it would be even impossible for me to undertake a journey.”
James More claims he is not ashamed of his poverty, which he says resulted from serving his king, and admits he cannot afford to travel.
James More's justification of his poverty and his implicit acceptance of David's offer of hospitality.
“I shall make it my business to see you are supplied.”
David agrees to provide James More with wine, as requested.
David's reluctant compliance with James More's request for better drink, showing his growing sense of obligation.