The Child of the Cavern · Chapter
XVIII: Nell’s Wedding explained
On the day of Nell and Harry's wedding, the community of New Aberfoyle gathers in St.
What happens
On the day of Nell and Harry's wedding, the community of New Aberfoyle gathers in St. Giles's chapel. The ceremony is interrupted when old Silfax breaches a rock, releasing firedamp gas into the mine. He threatens to ignite the gas with a Davy lamp, but Nell calls his owl Harfang, which drops the match into the lake. Silfax then plunges to his death in Loch Malcolm, and the wedding proceeds.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Nell's selfless act of calling Harfang to drop the match, sacrificing her own safety to save the community and her wedding.
Good vs. Evil
The confrontation between Silfax's vengeful plan to destroy the mine and the community's efforts to protect themselves and stop him.
Characters to notice
- Nell
The bride, who remains calm and collected despite her inner fears, and ultimately saves the mine by calling Harfang.
- Harry Ford
The groom, determined to protect Nell and diving into the lake in a futile attempt to save Silfax.
- Simon Ford
The old overman, uneasy about Silfax's threats, and present at the wedding.
- James Starr
The engineer, anxious about Silfax's potential attack and leading the search for him.
- Jack Ryan
The bold piper who swims toward Silfax's canoe in an attempt to stop him.
Key passages
“It was agreed that the inhabitants of the cottage must keep more on their guard than ever. The threats of old Silfax were too serious to be disregarded.”
The cottage residents decided to increase their vigilance because Silfax's threats were too dangerous to ignore.
Sets up the heightened security measures before the wedding.
“Nell had resolved to show nothing of her mental agitation; she forbade her heart to beat, or her inward terrors to betray themselves, and the brave girl appeared before all with a calm and collected aspect.”
Nell forced herself to appear calm and composed, hiding her inner anxiety from everyone.
Highlights Nell's bravery and self-control on her wedding day.
“Silfax, gazing upwards with wild and contracted features, appeared to become aware that the gas, lighter than the lower atmosphere, was accumulating far up under the dome; and at a sign from him the owl, seizing in its claw the lighted match, soared upwards to the vaulted roof, towards which the madman pointed with outstretched arm.”
Silfax realized the gas was rising to the dome, so he signaled his owl to carry the burning match upward to ignite it.
Describes the critical moment of Silfax's attempted destruction.
“Suddenly Nell sprang from Harry’s arms, and, with a bright look of inspiration, she ran to the very brink of the waters of the lake. 'Harfang! Harfang!' cried she in a clear voice; 'here! come to me!'”
Nell suddenly broke free from Harry, ran to the lake's edge, and called out to the owl Harfang to come to her.
Nell's quick thinking saves the mine from explosion.
“The waters of Loch Malcolm yielded not their prey: they closed forever over Silfax.”
Loch Malcolm's waters did not give up Silfax; he drowned and was lost forever.
Final fate of the antagonist Silfax.