# XXVIII: In Which I Am Left Alone explained — Catriona

> Chapter companion for Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson.

## What happens

David returns to his chambers to find James More and Catriona preparing to leave after a disagreement. He confronts James More, arranging a stipend for Catriona's welfare in exchange for communication. Later, David takes Catriona for a walk and, at James More's urging, proposes marriage. Catriona refuses, suspecting her father's manipulation. After they depart, David discovers Catriona left behind all his gifts, including a kerchief with a corner cut out, which he interprets as a sign of her conflicted feelings.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

David's proposal and his willingness to provide for Catriona despite her refusal highlight his love and the sacrifices he is willing to make.

### Deception and Manipulation

James More manipulates David into proposing to Catriona, and Catriona suspects her father's coercion, reflecting the theme of deception.

### Exile and Belonging

David feels abandoned and alone after Catriona and James More leave, emphasizing his sense of exile and longing for connection.

## Character check-ins

### David Balfour

David confronts James More, arranges a stipend, and proposes to Catriona, only to be refused. He is left heartbroken and alone.

### Catriona Drummond

Catriona is distant and resentful after a disagreement with her father. She refuses David's proposal, suspecting her father's coercion, and leaves behind all of David's gifts.

### James More Macgregor

James More is visibly upset after a quarrel with Catriona. He accepts David's stipend arrangement and pressures David to propose to Catriona.

## Key lines

> I opened the door to Catriona and stopped her on the threshold. 'Your father wishes us to take our walk,' said I.

David invites Catriona for a walk at her father's request.

_This moment sets up the proposal scene._

> She had left behind at her departure all that ever she had of me. It was the blow that I felt sorest, perhaps because it was the last; and I fell upon that pile of clothing and behaved myself more foolish than I care to tell of.

David discovers Catriona left all his gifts, causing him great emotional distress.

_Highlights David's heartbreak and the finality of their separation._

> I observed there was a corner neatly cut from it. It was a kerchief of a very pretty hue, on which I had frequently remarked; and once that she had it on, I remembered telling her (by way of a banter) that she wore my colours.

David finds a kerchief with a corner cut out, which he recalls telling Catriona she wore his colors.

_This detail suggests Catriona's hidden affection and gives David a glimmer of hope._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/catriona_se/chapters/xxviii-in-which-i-am-left-alone
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/catriona_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/catriona_se/chapters