XXI explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Sacrifice

  Wimsey's persistent proposal and willingness to accept Harriet's terms highlight his devotion and sacrifice of social convention.

• Deception and Appearance

  Wimsey's secret plan with the manicurist involves deception and the collection of physical evidence under false pretenses.

• Class and Snobbery

  Harriet's concern about Wimsey's family traditions and social standing reflects class-based anxieties about marriage.

Characters to notice

• Lord Peter Wimsey

  Proposes to Harriet and later meets with a manicurist to enlist her help in a secret scheme.

• Harriet Vane

  Refuses Wimsey's marriage proposal, citing fear and uncertainty about the future.

• Mabel Herridge

  The manicurist who agrees to help Wimsey by collecting nail parings and hair from a client.

• Chief Inspector Parker

  Helped Wimsey discover the manicurist.

Key passages

• “Then you won't marry me?”

  Wimsey asks Harriet if she will marry him.

  Opens the chapter with Wimsey's proposal.

• “I'll live with you, if you like, but I won't marry you.”

  Harriet offers to cohabit but refuses marriage.

  Harriet's conditional offer reflects her fear of commitment.

• “Blast Caesar's wife! And as for the family traditions—they're on my side, for what they're worth.”

  Wimsey dismisses concerns about scandal and family reputation.

  Wimsey asserts his independence from social expectations.

• “I only want to get out of this and be left alone.”

  Harriet expresses her desire for freedom and solitude.

  Harriet's emotional state after the trial.

• “I'll do it for you. It'll be a bit difficult, cause I'll have to use the scissors, which we don't do as a rule. But I'll manage.”

  Mabel agrees to collect nail parings and hair for Wimsey.

  Mabel's willingness to help Wimsey's secret plan.