# How Melicent Wedded explained — Domnei

> Chapter companion for Domnei by James Branch Cabell.

## What happens

Bishop Ayrart de Montors reveals he has known Perion's identity all along and confronts the lovers at dawn. He argues that Perion has no home to offer Melicent, but Melicent defiantly pledges herself to Perion in a private wedding ceremony before her kinsmen can force her to marry King Theodoret. Perion departs, and Melicent asks for her face to be covered so she may weep unseen.

## Themes in this chapter

### Self-Sacrifice and Redemption

Perion chooses to leave Melicent rather than drag her into a life of hardship, and Melicent sacrifices her future comfort to wed him.

### The Nature of True Love

Melicent's vow of eternal faith and service to Perion, and her private wedding, illustrate a love that transcends social and political constraints.

### Idealism vs. Cynicism

Ayrart de Montors's cynical view of love and politics contrasts with Melicent and Perion's idealistic devotion.

## Character check-ins

### Perion de la Forêt

Pledges his love to Melicent and accepts her wedding vow, then departs alone.

### Melicent

Defies her kinsmen by wedding Perion in a private ceremony, then asks for her face to be covered as he leaves.

### Ayrart de Montors

Reveals he has known Perion's identity and eavesdropped; he argues against the match and plans to use King Theodoret's friendship to become a cardinal.

### King Theodoret

Mentioned as the man to whom Melicent's kinsmen plan to give her in marriage.

### Count Emmerick of Poictesme

Mentioned as being afraid of King Theodoret and unable to resist the political pressure.

### Mélusine

Mentioned by Ayrart as holding King Helmas and being a useful friend to him.

## Key lines

> No woman ever loved a man except, at bottom, as a mother loves her child: let him elect to build a nation or to write imperishable verses or to take purses upon the highway, and she will only smile to note how breathlessly the boy goes about his playing; and when he comes back to her with grimier hands she is a little sorry, and, if she think it salutary, will pretend to be angry.

Ayrart de Montors suggests that all women love men in a maternal way, indulging their pursuits and gently tending to their wounds.

_The bishop's sermon on the nature of women's love._

> While life endures I pledge you faith and service, Perion. There is no need to speak of love.

Melicent vows lifelong loyalty and devotion to Perion without needing to declare love explicitly.

_Melicent's wedding vow to Perion._

> Cover my face, Ayrart. It may be I shall weep presently. Men must not see the wife of Perion weep. Cover my face, for he is going now, and I cannot watch his going.

Melicent asks her cousin to hide her face so that no one sees her tears as Perion departs.

_Melicent's request after Perion leaves._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/domnei_se/chapters/v-how-melicent-wedded
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/domnei_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/domnei_se/chapters