Robbery Under Arms · Chapter
XLVII explained
At a grand ball and wedding in the diggings town, Starlight, disguised as Lieutenant Lascelles, mingles with high society.
What happens
At a grand ball and wedding in the diggings town, Starlight, disguised as Lieutenant Lascelles, mingles with high society. He dances with Maddie Barnes, secretly meets Aileen Marston, and later attends Bella Barnes's wedding, where he kisses the bride and gifts her a diamond ring before slipping away into the crowd.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Social Mobility
The ball and wedding highlight class distinctions, with Starlight's disguise allowing him to move among the elite, while characters like Bella Barnes marry for social advancement.
Love and Sacrifice
Aileen and Starlight's secret meeting, and Gracey's promise to wait for Dick, underscore the sacrifices and risks of love in a lawless context.
Characters to notice
- Captain Starlight
Disguised as Lieutenant Lascelles, he attends the ball and wedding, dances with Maddie Barnes, secretly meets Aileen, and gifts a diamond ring to the bride.
- Aileen Marston
Attends the ball, is visibly moved by Starlight's presence, and has a private conversation with him in the supper-room.
- Dick Marston
Narrates the events, observes the ball and wedding, and speaks with Gracey Storefield about their future.
- Maddie Barnes
Dances with Starlight at the ball, noted as the best dancer, and attends her sister's wedding.
- Bella Barnes
The bride at the wedding, marries a surveyor, receives a diamond ring from Starlight as a gift.
- Grace Storefield
Dances with Dick Marston at the ball, expresses her commitment to wait for him and her hope he will leave his outlaw life.
Key passages
“Such a bow Starlight made, too. We could hardly help staring. Poor Aileen hardly knew whether to laugh or to cry when he sat down beside her and asked for the pleasure of a dance.”
Starlight's elegant bow amazed everyone, and Aileen was overwhelmed with emotion when he approached her for a dance.
Highlights Starlight's charm and Aileen's emotional turmoil.
“I believe it's the custom in all circles to salute the bride, which I now do, and he gave Bella a kiss before everyone in the most high and mighty and respectful manner, just as if he was a prince of the blood.”
Starlight claimed the tradition of kissing the bride and did so with regal dignity, impressing the crowd.
Shows Starlight's audacity and social poise.
“She was, like Aileen, miserable enough and afraid to think of our ever having the chance of getting married and living happy like other people, but she told me she would wait and remain faithful to me—if it was to her life's end.”
Gracey, like Aileen, was deeply unhappy and doubted their future, but vowed eternal loyalty to Dick.
Emphasizes the theme of love and sacrifice amid hardship.