# XXVIII: Gonsalvo Sings What Had Been the Latest Air from Provence explained — The Charwoman’s Shadow

> Chapter companion for The Charwoman’s Shadow by Lord Dunsany.

## What happens

The Duke lies ill with a strange fury, tended only by Mirandola. Gulvarez sings a love song, but Mirandola fears the Duke's wrath. Gonsalvo sings an old Provençal tune, stirring melancholy. Father Joseph visits Ramon in the wood. The household remains hushed, awaiting the Duke's recovery. Mirandola's influence over the Duke grows, and plans are made to avert his anger.

## Themes in this chapter

### Time, Mortality, and the Burden of Immortality

Gonsalvo's melancholy over his lost youth and the passing of the 'latest air' reflects the theme of time and mortality.

### Illusion vs. Reality

The Duke's strange fury and the household's uncertain fears contrast with Mirandola's calm influence, blurring the line between perceived threat and actual danger.

## Character check-ins

### Father Joseph

Sent by the Lord of the Tower to write a letter; later rides away on his mule to visit Ramon Alonzo in the magician's wood; returns on the sixth day.

### The Duke

Lies ill with a strange fury for six days, watched over only by Mirandola; his anger gradually fades, and he begins to speak with her.

### Gonsalvo

Sings an old Provençal song, stirring melancholy; plans with Gulvarez to avoid the Duke's wrath.

### Gulvarez

Sings a love song to Mirandola; grows red with embarrassment; plans with Gonsalvo to avoid the Duke.

### Mirandola

Tends the Duke alone; soothes his wrath; speaks with Gulvarez in a way that stirs anxiety; her influence becomes key to the household's fears.

### Ramon Alonzo

Receives a letter from Father Joseph; is visited by Father Joseph in the magician's wood.

## Key lines

> Thus it came about that the Lord of the Tower sent again for Father Joseph, and bade him write him a letter; and the letter was folded and sealed and given to Peter to bear to Ramon Alonzo at the magical house in the wood.

The Lord of the Tower summoned Father Joseph to write a letter, which was then sent with Peter to Ramon Alonzo at the magician's house.

_Sets up the communication between the Tower and Ramon._

> A melancholy came into Gonsalvo's voice. Each line of the song seemed to roll him further and further away from that young man that had known so long ago the latest air from Provence.

Gonsalvo's singing grew sad as the song reminded him of his distant youth and the time when he knew the newest tune from Provence.

_Highlights Gonsalvo's regret over lost youth._

> In the Tower it was as yesterday, for an anxious hush still hung over all the house because of the dreadful thing it had done to the Duke.

The Tower remained tense and quiet, as everyone feared the consequences of the offense against the Duke.

_Describes the oppressive atmosphere in the Tower._

> But over the Tower a hush still brooded heavily. It was like a prisoner who waits in the dark for his trial.

The silence over the Tower was oppressive, like a prisoner awaiting judgment in darkness.

_Emphasizes the uncertainty and fear in the household._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charwoman_s_shadow_se/chapters/xxviii-gonsalvo-sings-what-had-been-the-latest-air-from-provence
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charwoman_s_shadow_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_charwoman_s_shadow_se/chapters