# IV explained — Lord Tony’s Wife

> Chapter companion for Lord Tony’s Wife by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

The Duc de Kernogan learns from his head-bailiff, Jacques Labrunière, that a peasant mob is marching on his castle. His immediate terror is for his daughter Yvonne, who is returning home and may encounter the rioters. Labrunière dispatches an escort to intercept her carriage. The Duc reflects on the hatred he has earned through his oppressive feudal rule and fears the revolutionary violence now spreading toward Nantes.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class Conflict and Revolution

The peasant mob's march on Kernogan embodies the revolutionary hatred of the oppressed against the feudal aristocracy.

### Suffering and Endurance

The Duc's terror for his daughter reveals the personal anguish and vulnerability of the aristocracy in the face of revolutionary violence.

## Character check-ins

### Martin-Roget

Referred to as M. le duc de Kernogan; he is terrified for his daughter's safety as a peasant revolt approaches his castle.

### Yvonne de Kernogan

Mademoiselle de Kernogan is away visiting Mme. la Marquise d'Herbignac and is in danger of encountering the mob on her return.

### Jacques Labrunière

The head-bailiff brings news of the revolt and organizes an escort to protect Yvonne.

### Pierre Adet

Mentioned as the miller's son who is distributing weapons and haranguing the crowd, planning to march on Kernogan.

### Jean Adet

The old miller, seen with his son Pierre distributing weapons and inciting the peasants.

## Key lines

> Astride upon his manifold rights—feudal, territorial, seignorial rights—he had all his life ridden roughshod over the prejudices, the miseries, the undoubted rights of the poor people, who were little better than serfs in the possession of the high and mighty duc de Kernogan.

The Duc had always exploited his feudal privileges to oppress the peasants, treating them like serfs.

_Highlights the Duc's oppressive rule and the root cause of the peasant revolt._

> If those devils meet her carriage on the road. … There is no cause for anxiety, M. le duc,” broke in Labrunière hurriedly. “I will see that half a dozen men get to horse at once and go and meet Mademoiselle and escort her home.

The Duc fears the mob will intercept Yvonne's carriage, but Labrunière quickly arranges an armed escort to protect her.

_Shows the immediate danger to Yvonne and the Duc's desperate concern for her safety._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lord_tony_s_wife_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lord_tony_s_wife_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lord_tony_s_wife_se/chapters