# IV: The Governess explained — Chance

> Chapter companion for Chance by Joseph Conrad.

## What happens

Marlow recounts the governess's plot to abandon Flora de Barral. The governess, with her supposed nephew Charley, plans to leave Flora just as her father's financial empire collapses. Flora, unaware, enjoys a final ride with Charley, while the governess packs her belongings. The chapter ends with the governess and Charley confronting Flora, who senses their sinister intentions.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Illusion

The governess and Charley deceive Flora and the Fynes, hiding their true intentions until the moment of abandonment.

### Social Class and Wealth

The governess's role and actions are shaped by her position in the household and the wealth of the de Barral family.

### Family and Parental Failure

Flora's father is absent and failing, and the governess, who acts as a surrogate mother, ultimately betrays her.

## Character check-ins

### Flora de Barral

The young heiress, unaware of the impending betrayal, enjoys her last ride with Charley and is later confronted by the governess.

### Marlow

Narrates the story, speculating on the motives and actions of the governess and Charley.

### Fyne

Observes the events from his window, concerned about Flora's situation and the governess's intentions.

### Mrs. Fyne

Shares her husband's concern, noting Flora's fondness for Charley and her own powerlessness to warn her.

### Mr. Smith

The governess's supposed nephew, who arrives with news of de Barral's financial troubles and participates in the plot to abandon Flora.

## Key lines

> Mere libertinage of thought; whereas the other woman, the governess of Flora de Barral, was, as you may have noticed, severely practical—terribly practical.

The governess was extremely pragmatic, unlike others who might be more fanciful.

_Highlights the governess's practical nature, which drives her actions._

> She came out of her own sitting-room with red spots on her cheekbones, which having provoked a question from her 'beloved' charge, were accounted for by a curt 'I have a headache coming on.'

The governess emerged from her room with flushed cheeks, and when Flora asked, she claimed a headache was coming on.

_Shows the governess's deception and her ability to hide her true emotions._

> The delightful Charley walked in, with his eyes fixed on the back of her governess whose raised veil hid her forehead like a brown band above the black line of the eyebrows.

Charley entered, staring at the governess, whose veil obscured her forehead.

_Describes the tense atmosphere as the confrontation begins._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/chance_se/chapters/iv-the-governess
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/chance_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/chance_se/chapters