Mr. Incoul’s Misadventure · Chapter
An Unexpected Guest explained
At a bullfight in San Sebastián, Lenox Leigh unexpectedly appears and joins Mr.
What happens
At a bullfight in San Sebastián, Lenox Leigh unexpectedly appears and joins Mr. Incoul's party, including Maida and the Blydenburgs. They dine together at the Inglaterra, where Lenox charms the group with his knowledge of Spain and recites poetry. After dinner, Maida and Lenox briefly speak alone, revealing that Lenox followed her from Paris. Mr. Incoul interrupts and the party departs, with Lenox left standing in the moonlight.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Illusion
Maida's private conversation with Lenox reveals lingering romantic attachment, contrasting with her public role as Mrs. Incoul.
Deception and Betrayal
Maida and Lenox's secret exchange and Lenox's pursuit of Maida behind Mr. Incoul's back suggest emotional betrayal.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Incoul
Hosts the party at the bullfight and dinner; invites Lenox to join them; interrupts Maida and Lenox's private conversation.
- Lenox Leigh
Unexpectedly arrives at the bullfight; joins the Incoul party for dinner; recites poetry and reveals he followed Maida from Paris.
- Miss Maida Barhyte
Nervous and distracted by Lenox's presence; exchanges private words with him on the terrace; urges him to leave.
- Mr. Blydenburg
Part of the party; discourses on bullfighting and Roman gladiators; admires Lenox's charm and knowledge.
- Miss Blydenburg
Observes Maida's distraction; finds Lenox handsomer than Mazzantini in the moonlight.
- Karl
The courier who escorts the ladies to the hotel and later mounts the carriage box.
Key passages
“Gradually the whirling ceased, the singing left her ears. Leigh raised his hat and Maida bowed in return.”
Maida's dizziness subsides as she acknowledges Lenox's greeting with a bow.
Maida's emotional turmoil upon seeing Lenox is depicted through physical sensation.
“I arrived at Biarritz from Paris last night, and when I learned this morning that there was to be a bullfight, I came over.”
Lenox explains he came from Paris to Biarritz and then to San Sebastián for the bullfight.
Lenox's casual explanation masks his true motive of following Maida.
“Maida utilized the earliest moment by asking her companion how he got there. 'You should not have spoken to me,' she added, before he could have answered.”
Maida immediately questions Lenox's presence and scolds him for addressing her.
Maida's conflicted feelings are evident as she both seeks and rejects Lenox's attention.
“The carriage is here, said Maida's husband, we must be going; I am sorry we can't offer you a seat, Mr. Leigh, we are a trifle crowded as it is.”
Mr. Incoul politely but firmly ends the encounter by citing lack of space in the carriage.
Mr. Incoul's intervention reasserts his control over the situation.