I Will Repay · Chapter
The Faithful House-Dog explained
After supper, Juliette and Déroulède discuss Charlotte Corday, and Juliette openly reveals her identity as the daughter of the Duc de Marny.
What happens
After supper, Juliette and Déroulède discuss Charlotte Corday, and Juliette openly reveals her identity as the daughter of the Duc de Marny. Déroulède offers continued hospitality and help arranging her journey to England, while Juliette inwardly sees herself as an avenging spirit. Anne Mie, feeling jealous and bitter about her own deformity, reluctantly agrees to be kind to Juliette but privately vows to watch and distrust her.
Themes in this chapter
Revenge and Justice
Juliette sees herself as an avenging Nemesis pursuing her brother's murderer, while Déroulède views the duel as an honorable and fair fight.
Betrayal and Trust
Anne Mie's distrust of Juliette is evident as she vows to 'watch and bite,' sensing something hidden in Juliette's actions.
Characters to notice
- Juliette de Marny
Openly reveals her identity as the daughter of the Duc de Marny and speaks of her brother's death in a duel; inwardly sees herself as a Nemesis pursuing her brother's murderer.
- Paul Déroulède
Shows hospitality and offers to arrange Juliette's journey to England; views the duel as forced upon him and himself as an instrument of Fate.
- Anne Mie
Clears the table, sits at Madame Déroulède's feet, and feels jealous of Juliette's beauty; reluctantly agrees to be kind but privately vows to watch and distrust her.
- Madame Déroulède
Present during the conversation; seems to know nothing of the circumstances of the duel.
- Pétronelle
Retires with Juliette at the end of the chapter.
Key passages
“She appeared as a justification of her own actions, which somehow seemed to require justification.”
Juliette saw Charlotte Corday as a way to validate her own choices, which she felt needed explaining.
Juliette's internal need to justify her revenge through the example of Charlotte Corday.
“She did not understand that in the simplicity of his heart, he only wished to make amends.”
Juliette failed to realize that Déroulède's kindness came from a genuine desire to compensate for the past.
Juliette misinterprets Déroulède's motives, seeing indifference rather than remorse.
“Is a wretched, deformed creature ever happy?”
Anne Mie asks if someone who is miserable and physically imperfect can ever find joy.
Anne Mie's bitter self-perception and jealousy of Juliette's beauty.
“For I do not trust you, my fine madam, and there was something about that comedy this afternoon, which somehow, I don't quite understand.”
Anne Mie privately declares her distrust of Juliette, sensing that the afternoon's events were a deceptive performance.
Anne Mie's suspicion and vow to watch Juliette closely.