Chance · Chapter
VII: On the Pavement explained
Marlow continues his narrative, focusing on his conversation with Flora de Barral.
What happens
Marlow continues his narrative, focusing on his conversation with Flora de Barral. She reveals her encounter with Captain Anthony, explaining that she had gone to the garden to keep a tryst with death, not love, but Anthony misunderstood her intentions. She asks Marlow to never mention to Anthony that he saw her. Marlow reflects on her shame and remorse. Fyne later tells Marlow about the letter Flora wrote to the Fynes, which Mrs. Fyne found challenging and unbalanced. Fyne is on a mission to see Captain Anthony about the situation, and Marlow observes him entering the hotel.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Illusion
Flora's request for Marlow to keep her meeting with Anthony a secret, and the misunderstanding about her intentions, highlight themes of deception and hidden truths.
Isolation and Loneliness
Flora's feeling that no one cared for her and her contemplation of death as a release underscore her profound isolation and loneliness.
Love and Sacrifice
Captain Anthony's attraction to Flora and his attempt to soothe her, alongside Flora's own despair, touch on the complexities of love and sacrifice.
Characters to notice
- Marlow
Narrates the chapter, reflecting on Flora's story and her request for secrecy. He observes Fyne's mission.
- Flora de Barral
Confides in Marlow about her meeting with Captain Anthony, expressing shame and remorse. She asks him to keep her encounter with Anthony a secret.
- Fyne
Reluctantly shares the contents of Flora's letter with Marlow and goes on a mission to see Captain Anthony at the hotel.
- Captain Anthony
Discussed by Flora and Fyne. His encounter with Flora is recounted, and he is the subject of Fyne's mission.
- Mrs. Fyne
Mentioned as having read Flora's letter and shared its contents with Fyne, expressing concern about Flora's state of mind.
Key passages
“I wanted to ask you if you ever meet Captain Anthony—by any chance—anywhere—you are a sailor too, are you not?—that you would never mention—never—that—that you had seen me over there.”
Flora asks Marlow to promise he will never tell Captain Anthony that he saw her, if he ever happens to meet him.
Flora's plea for secrecy underscores her shame and desire to keep her past hidden.
“There's no deception in it really. I want you to believe that if I am here, like this, today, it is not from fear. It is not!”
Flora insists that her presence is not motivated by fear, but by something else, perhaps a desire for escape.
Flora's assertion reveals her inner turmoil and the complexity of her motivations.
“I am ashamed. And, dropping her head, she looked in a moment the very picture of remorse.”
Flora expresses deep shame and remorse, appearing as the embodiment of regret.
Flora's shame is a central emotion in this chapter, reflecting her sense of failure and despair.