The Avenger · Chapter
XLII: Camera! explained
Three months after the Dower House revelations, Gregory Penne has served part of his sentence.
What happens
Three months after the Dower House revelations, Gregory Penne has served part of his sentence. The guillotine is in a police museum. Michael Brixan visits a film studio where Jack Knebworth directs a love scene with Reggie Connolly and Adele Leamington. Stella Mendoza watches. Michael jokes about making an arrest—Adele. They discuss marriage, and Michael confesses his love. Adele is noncommittal but later, outside, they share a kiss.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearances
The film set highlights the artifice of love scenes and acting, contrasting with genuine emotions between Michael and Adele.
Crime and Justice
Penne's imprisonment and the guillotine's display in a police museum reflect the aftermath of the Headhunter case.
Characters to notice
- Mike Brixan
Visits the film studio, jokes about arresting Adele, and declares his love for her.
- Adele Leamington
Now a star after a successful trade show; discusses marriage with Michael and later kisses him.
- Jack Knebworth
Directing a love scene with frustration; predicts Adele will leave the screen to marry.
- Reggie Connolly
Plays the leading man in the scene; complains about being told how to make love.
- Stella Mendoza
Watches the filming with good-natured contempt; returns to the studio.
- Sir Gregory Penne
Mentioned as having served part of a six-month sentence for concealment of death.
Key passages
““There’s nobody can tell me, Mr. Knebworth,” said Reggie testily, “how to hold a girl! Good gracious, heavens alive, have I been asleep all my life? Don’t you think I know as much about girls as you, Mr. Knebworth?””
Reggie Connolly angrily insists he doesn't need instruction on how to embrace a woman, claiming he knows as much about women as Knebworth does.
Reggie's pride as a leading man is wounded by Knebworth's direction.
““I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you.” “Of course you have,” she said calmly. “That’s the only possible way you can love a girl. If it takes three days to make up your mind it can’t be love.””
Michael declares he loved Adele at first sight. She replies that love must be immediate; hesitation means it isn't real.
Adele's pragmatic view of love contrasts with Michael's romantic confession.
““The proper way to make love,” he said, more than a little appalled at his own boldness, “is to put one hand on the waist—” Suddenly she was in his arms, her cool face against his. “There isn’t any way,” she murmured. “One just does!””
Michael starts to describe a technique for lovemaking, but Adele interrupts by embracing him, saying there is no method—you simply act.
The moment underscores the spontaneity of genuine affection versus staged romance.