# The Afterword explained — Domnei

> Chapter companion for Domnei by James Branch Cabell.

## What happens

The narrator reflects on the fragmentary nature of the chronicle of Perion and Melicent, noting that the existing manuscript ends abruptly like interrupted music, leaving their fate to conjecture. The chapter explains that this book is a rendering of the Roman de Lusignan manuscript with additions from a 1546 printed version.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Nature of True Love

The chapter reflects on the love between Perion and Melicent as a 'love-business' that endures even in fragmentary record, suggesting love's persistence beyond death and time.

## Character check-ins

### Perion de la Forêt

One of the two lovers whose story is concluded in the fragmentary chronicle.

### Melicent

The other lover; the chronicle of their love-business ends abruptly.

## Key lines

> Thus, rather suddenly, ends our knowledge of the love-business between Perion and Melicent.

The known account of Perion and Melicent's romance comes to an abrupt end.

_Highlights the sudden conclusion of the chronicle._

> the one existing chronicle of their adventures makes conclusion, like a bit of interrupted music

The sole surviving record of their story stops as if a piece of music were cut short.

_Emphasizes the fragmentary and incomplete nature of the source._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/domnei_se/chapters/the-afterword
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/domnei_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/domnei_se/chapters