# V: A Yellow Envelope explained — Mr. Incoul’s Misadventure

> Chapter companion for Mr. Incoul’s Misadventure by Edgar Saltus.

## What happens

Mr. and Mrs. Incoul, after a simple wedding, travel to Baden-Baden. Maida finds a yellow envelope in their villa addressed to the Gräfin von Adelsburg, which sparks her first real awareness of her husband's wealth. At the Kursaal, she overhears that Lenox Leigh may be in Baden, causing her dread and longing. She turns to her husband for protection, while Mr. Incoul, bored by Blydenburg, notices her movement.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wealth and Power

Maida's realization of her husband's immense wealth through the yellow envelope and her past hesitation over expenses.

### Love and Illusion

Maida's internal conflict: she wishes to forget her past love for Lenox Leigh and begin anew with Mr. Incoul.

### Social Class and Reputation

Mr. Incoul's refusal to let Maida attend the Countess of Ex's ball due to the Countess's dishonorable reputation.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Incoul

Orders Maida not to attend the Countess of Ex's ball; arranges the trip to Germany; notices Maida's movement at the Kursaal.

### Miss Maida Barhyte

Finds the yellow envelope; begins to understand her husband's wealth; overhears Lenox Leigh's name and feels dread and longing.

### Mr. Blydenburg

Joins the Incouls in Baden; bores Mr. Incoul with talk of Tirynth excavations.

### Lenox Leigh

Mentioned by an American as possibly being in Baden; Maida overhears and is affected.

### Mrs. Barhyte

Described as eager for the wedding to proceed; speaks with Mr. Incoul about Maida.

### The Prince

Appears on the terrace at Baden; raises his hat to Mrs. Incoul.

### Milly

Addressed by Mr. Incoul at the end of the excerpt.

## Key lines

> She is not a woman whom I care to have you know

Mr. Incoul forbids Maida from attending the Countess of Ex's ball because he considers the Countess dishonorable.

_Demonstrates Mr. Incoul's control over Maida's social interactions._

> For the first time since the wedding she could have kissed the man whose name she bore.

Maida feels a surge of respect and affection for Mr. Incoul after he asserts his authority.

_Highlights Maida's complex emotions toward her husband._

> If she could only forget, she thought, only forget and begin anew. If she could but tell him all!

Maida wishes she could erase her past with Lenox Leigh and confess everything to Mr. Incoul.

_Reveals Maida's guilt and desire for a fresh start._

> She felt that, did she see him, the love which she had tried to banish would return unfettered from its exile.

Maida fears that seeing Lenox Leigh would rekindle her suppressed love for him.

_Shows Maida's vulnerability and the power of her past romance._

## Links

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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_incoul_s_misadventure_se/chapters