The Charwoman’s Shadow · Chapter
XVIII: The Love-Potion explained
The Duke of Shadow Valley falls violently ill after dining at the Tower, suspecting poisoned or cheap wine.
What happens
The Duke of Shadow Valley falls violently ill after dining at the Tower, suspecting poisoned or cheap wine. His anger isolates him, refusing food or drink from anyone except Mirandola, who eventually brings him wine. Father Joseph learns from Mirandola that she administered a love-potion, which she fears was mixed badly by her brother Ramon. The household remains anxious as the Duke's condition and fury persist.
Themes in this chapter
Folly of Human Vanity and Trivial Concerns
The Duke's rage over perceived insult from cheap wine, despite his severe illness, highlights vanity and misplaced priorities.
Love and Transformation
Mirandola's use of a love-potion to win the Duke's affection, though it backfires, underscores the theme of love's transformative and risky power.
Social Class and Prejudice
The Duke's status as a 'serene hidalgo' and the household's groveling response to his anger illustrate class-based deference and prejudice.
Characters to notice
- The Duke
Falls ill after dining, suspects insult from bad wine, refuses food from all but Mirandola.
- Father Joseph
Observes the Duke's illness, deduces the cause is not poison, later learns from Mirandola about the love-potion.
- Gulvarez
Blamed by the Duke for bringing him to the house; attempts to bring food but is rebuffed.
- Mirandola
Confesses to Father Joseph that she gave the Duke a love-potion mixed by her brother; she alone is allowed to bring him food.
- Ramon Alonzo
Mentioned as the one who mixed the love-potion, which Mirandola fears was done poorly.
- Gonsalvo
Expresses distress and commiseration over the Duke's anger and the household's anxiety.
Key passages
“The look on the face of the Duke of Shadow Valley was gradually growing stranger. The outlines of his face were wearying; his quick glances roamed no more, but turned to his plate listlessly; and he was breathing faster.”
The Duke of Shadow Valley's expression became increasingly odd; his face looked tired, his darting eyes stopped and stared dully at his plate, and his breathing quickened.
Describes the onset of the Duke's mysterious illness.
“It was a love-potion, said Mirandola. Father Joseph thought for a moment, though his face showed no more sign of thought than surprise. I fear your brother mixed it ill, he said. I fear so, said Mirandola.”
Mirandola confessed it was a love-potion. Father Joseph paused, his face only showing surprise, then said he feared her brother had mixed it badly. Mirandola agreed.
Reveals the cause of the Duke's sickness and Mirandola's complicity.