# XXXI explained — Lavengro > Chapter companion for Lavengro by George Borrow. ## What happens The narrator walks through London, marveling at its wonders, including St. Paul's Cathedral and Cheapside. He crosses London Bridge, where he is captivated by the chaotic scene and nearly leaps over the balustrade before being stopped by an old fruit-woman. She mistakes him for a thief and offers him a book, 'Moll Flanders,' which he recognizes as the work of the author who first taught him to read. He offers to buy it, but she refuses, though she allows him to read it and gives him a tanner for tobacco. ## Themes in this chapter ### Adventure and Roving The narrator's walk through London and his fascination with the city's dangers and wonders reflect a spirit of adventure. ### Social Class and Gentility The encounter with the old fruit-woman highlights class differences and the narrator's ambiguous social position. ## Character check-ins ### Lavengro The narrator explores London, admires the city, and has a tense encounter on London Bridge. ### Mary The old fruit-woman on London Bridge, who reads 'Moll Flanders' and mistakes the narrator for a thief. ## Key lines > O Cheapside! Cheapside! said I, as I advanced up that mighty thoroughfare, truly thou art a wonderful place for hurry, noise and riches! The narrator praises Cheapside as a bustling, wealthy market street. _Reflects the narrator's admiration for London's commercial heart._ > Nay, dear! don't—don't! said she. Don't fling yourself over—perhaps you may have better luck next time! The old woman stops the narrator from climbing the bridge, thinking he intends to jump. _Highlights the misunderstanding and the woman's concern._ > I will give you a crown for this volume. No, dear, I will not sell the volume for a crown. The narrator offers to buy the book, but the woman refuses to sell it. _Shows the narrator's attachment to the book and the woman's sentimental value for it._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters/xxxi - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters