# VII: The Delights of Capua explained — Memoirs of Arsène Lupin

> Chapter companion for Memoirs of Arsène Lupin by Maurice Leblanc.

## What happens

Ralph and Josephine live together on the barge Nonchalante for a month, enjoying a period of intense happiness. Ralph learns more about Josephine's secret life as the leader of a band of thieves, which causes tension between them. They engage in thefts together, though each acts independently. An encounter with Beaumagnan, Baron d'Etigues, and Oscar de Bennetot at a theater leads to a confrontation about trust and their separate investigations into the Candlestick with Seven Branches.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Obsession

Ralph and Josephine's intense love is marked by conflict, jealousy, and a struggle for control, as seen in their clashes over trust and secrecy.

### Deception and Identity

Josephine hides her true identity and age from Ralph, while Ralph conceals his past as Arsène Lupin; both lead double lives.

### Crime and Morality

Ralph is disturbed by Josephine's thievery, reflecting his internal conflict between love and his moral standards.

### Power and Manipulation

Josephine manipulates Ralph by withholding information about the Candlestick and her criminal network, maintaining control over their partnership.

## Character check-ins

### Ralph d'Andresy

Lives with Josephine on the Nonchalante, struggles with her criminal activities, and insists on following Beaumagnan into the theater.

### Josephine Balsamo

Leads a double life as a thief and mistress; maintains secrecy about her age and the Candlestick affair, causing friction with Ralph.

### Leonard

Acts as Josephine's intermediary, bringing bundles of stolen goods onto the barge.

### Beaumagnan

Seen entering the Theater of Varieties with Baron d'Etigues and Oscar de Bennetot, then leaves early.

### Baron Godfrey d'Etigues

Accompanies Beaumagnan to the theater.

### Count Oscar de Bennetot

Accompanies Beaumagnan to the theater.

## Key lines

> A mistress who was a thief and leader of a band of thieves shocked him.

Ralph was appalled that his lover was a thief and the head of a criminal gang.

_Highlights Ralph's moral conflict with Josephine's criminal life._

> Where there is a lack of trust, let each go his own way and each for himself. We shall see who collars the prize.

Ralph declares that without trust they should separate and compete for the treasure.

_Shows the growing rift between Ralph and Josephine over the Candlestick affair._

> Let us turn our eyes away and say nothing about it.

Josephine suggests they ignore each other's dishonest actions.

_Reflects the unspoken agreement to avoid confronting their mutual criminality._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/vii-the-delights-of-capua
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/memoirs_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters