# The History of Doña Mencía de Mosquera explained — Gil Blas > Chapter companion for Gil Blas by Alain-René Lesage. ## What happens Doña Mencía recounts her life story: she married Don Alvar de Mello, who killed a rival and fled; after seven years without news, she believed him dead and remarried the Marquis de la Guardia. Don Alvar, having survived slavery, returns disguised as a gardener to reveal himself. Despite her guilt, he forgives her and proposes they flee together. They escape, but on the road, banditti kill Don Alvar, leaving Mencía widowed again. ## Themes in this chapter ### Love and Self-Interest Doña Mencía's love for Don Alvar is tested by his apparent death and her subsequent marriage to the Marquis; Don Alvar's selfless offer to leave her in comfort contrasts with his eventual plan to abduct her. ### Fortune and Fate The narrative is driven by misfortunes: Don Alvar's flight, false news of his death, Mencía's remarriage, and his eventual death at the hands of banditti. ### Deception and Appearance Don Alvar disguises himself as a gardener to gain access to Mencía; Mencía's second marriage is based on the mistaken belief of his death. ## Character check-ins ### Doña Mencía Narrates her own history: first marriage to Don Alvar de Mello, second marriage to the Marquis de la Guardia, and reunion with Don Alvar. ### Don Alvar de Mello First husband of Doña Mencía; kills a rival, flees, is enslaved for five years, returns disguised as a gardener, and is killed by banditti. ### Gil Blas Present as a listener to Doña Mencía's story; was with the banditti who killed Don Alvar. ### Captain Rolando Leader of the banditti who attacked Don Alvar and his party. ## Key lines > I was born at Valladolid, and am called Doña Mencía de Mosquera. My father, Don Martín, after spending most of his family estate in the service, was killed in Portugal at the head of his regiment. Doña Mencía introduces herself as the daughter of a soldier who died in Portugal, leaving her with little inheritance. _Establishes Mencía's background and modest fortune._ > My favorite was Don Alvar de Mello. It is true he had a prettier person than his rivals; but more solid qualities determined me in his favor. He had wit, discretion, valor, probity; and in addition to all these, an air of fashion. Mencía chose Don Alvar for his charm and virtues, not just his looks. _Highlights the qualities that won Mencía's heart._ > A few days after our nuptials, he met Don Andrew de Baësa, who had been his rival, in a private place. They attacked one another sword in hand, and Don Andrew fell. Shortly after their wedding, Don Alvar killed his rival in a duel. _The duel forces Don Alvar to flee._ > He returned home speedily, and told me what had happened while his horse was getting ready. “My dear Mencía,” said he at length, “we must part.” Don Alvar rushes home to tell Mencía they must separate because of the killing. _The emotional farewell scene._ > He had indeed pledged himself, in the melancholy moments of our parting, to be punctual in acquainting me with his destiny, to whatever part of the world his evil star might conduct him. And yet seven years rolled on without my hearing of him. Don Alvar promised to write, but Mencía received no news for seven years. _The long silence leads to the belief in his death._ > At last I heard of his falling in battle, under the Portuguese banner, in the kingdom of Fez. A man newly returned from Africa brought me the account, with the assurance that he had been well acquainted with Don Alvar de Mello; had served with him in the army, and had seen him drop in the action. A traveler reported that Don Alvar died fighting in Fez, convincing Mencía he was dead. _The false report that leads to her second marriage._ > About this time, Don Ambrosio Mesía Carrillo, Marquis de la Guardia, arrived at Valladolid. He was one of those elderly noblemen who, with that good breeding acquired by long experience in courts, throw their years into the background, and retain the faculty of making themselves agreeable to our sex. The elderly Marquis de la Guardia, a polished courtier, came to Valladolid and became interested in Mencía. _Introduction of Mencía's second husband._ > I then came to this castle, and found the means of admission into the gardener’s service, who has engaged me as a laborer. Such was my stratagem to obtain this private interview. Don Alvar disguised himself as a gardener to secretly meet Mencía. _The disguise enables the reunion._ > He it was whom they killed with all his attendants, and it is for him the tears flow, which you see me shedding at this moment. The banditti killed Don Alvar and his men, and Mencía weeps for him. _The tragic conclusion of Don Alvar's return._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters/xi - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gil_blas_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gil_blas_se/chapters