# XXI: Heart's Martyrdom explained — Hand and Ring

> Chapter companion for Hand and Ring by Anna Katharine Green.

## What happens

District Attorney Ferris, following the note's advice, seeks a direct interview with Imogene Dare to uncover the truth about the diamond ring found at the crime scene. Despite his personal esteem for her, he presses her with questions. Imogene reveals that the ring was offered to her by Craik Mansell, whom she refused, and that she returned it to him. She admits to meeting him in the woods and confirms that she had not shared this information with anyone else. Ferris, now convinced of Mansell's involvement, leaves with the crucial evidence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrets and the Past

Imogene's hidden involvement with Mansell and the secret of the ring come to light, revealing the past's grip on the present.

### Guilt and Innocence

The interrogation highlights the tension between Imogene's innocence in the murder and her guilt by association, as well as the shifting suspicion toward Mansell.

### Deception and Truth

Ferris's pursuit of the truth forces Imogene to abandon her deceptive facade and confess the facts, despite the personal cost.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Ferris

The District Attorney, driven by duty, confronts Imogene Dare to extract the truth about the ring, despite his personal respect for her.

### Imogene Dare

Reveals the ring was offered by Craik Mansell and that she refused it, enduring emotional turmoil as she confesses.

### Craik Mansell

Implicated as the one who offered the ring to Imogene, becoming the prime suspect in the murder investigation.

### Mr. Orcutt

Mentioned as the initial recipient of Ferris's note, but Ferris decides to approach Imogene directly instead.

## Key lines

> The ring was mine, because it had been offered to me as a gift the day before. The ring was not mine, because I had refused to take it when it was offered.

Imogene explains that the ring was hers in the sense that it was given to her, but she had rejected it, so it was not truly hers.

_This statement reveals the ring's origin and Imogene's refusal, which becomes crucial evidence._

> It was Craik Mansell, sir. He is a nephew of Mrs. Clemmens.

Imogene names Craik Mansell as the person who offered her the ring, linking him to the victim.

_This confession directly implicates Mansell in the case._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters/xxi-heart-s-martyrdom
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hand_and_ring_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hand_and_ring_se/chapters