She · Chapter
XX: Triumph explained
Ayesha confronts Ustane for her secret union with Leo.
What happens
Ayesha confronts Ustane for her secret union with Leo. Ustane defiantly declares her love, knowing she will die. Ayesha kills Ustane with a mysterious force. Leo, initially enraged, is overwhelmed by Ayesha's beauty and will, and he pledges himself to her. Ayesha celebrates her triumph with a poetic paean to love.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Obsession
Ustane's defiant love for Leo contrasts with Ayesha's obsessive, possessive love that leads to murder and manipulation.
Power and Corruption
Ayesha uses her supernatural power to kill Ustane and dominate Leo, corrupting their relationships.
Jealousy and Revenge
Ayesha's jealousy of Ustane's union with Leo drives her to exact deadly revenge.
Characters to notice
- Ayesha
Exercises her power to kill Ustane and then seduces Leo into pledging himself to her.
- Leo Vincey
Grieves Ustane's death but is overpowered by Ayesha's beauty and will, ultimately plighting his troth to her.
- Horace Holly
Witnesses the confrontation and Ustane's death, and observes Leo's submission to Ayesha.
- Ustane
Defies Ayesha with a courageous declaration of love for Leo, then is killed by Ayesha's power.
- Job
Dismissed by Ayesha before the confrontation.
- Billali
Dismissed by Ayesha before the confrontation.
Key passages
“I did it, oh She, because my love is stronger than the grave. I did it because my life without this man whom my heart chose would be but a living death.”
Ustane explains that she risked her life for Leo because her love is more powerful than death itself.
Ustane's defiant justification for her relationship with Leo.
“Thou too art doomed, I see—and her voice rang like the cry of an inspired prophetess; 'ah, I see—'”
Ustane prophesies that Ayesha will also face doom.
Ustane's prophetic warning before being killed.
“For those who sell themselves into a like dominion, paying down the price of their own honour, and throwing their soul into the balance to sink the scale to the level of their lusts, can hope for no deliverance here or hereafter.”
Those who surrender their honor for passion will find no redemption.
Holly's moral commentary on Leo's submission to Ayesha.