The Claverings · Chapter
How Damon Parted from Pythias explained
Lady Ongar, having been confronted by Count Pateroff on the Isle of Wight, resolves to sever ties with Sophie Gordeloup, whom she blames for the encounter.
What happens
Lady Ongar, having been confronted by Count Pateroff on the Isle of Wight, resolves to sever ties with Sophie Gordeloup, whom she blames for the encounter. She confronts Sophie, and the two women part ways acrimoniously during their journey back to London, with Lady Ongar firmly ending their intimacy.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Redemption
Lady Ongar feels betrayed by Sophie's role in arranging the meeting with Count Pateroff, leading to a definitive rupture in their relationship.
Appearance vs. Reality
Sophie's outward devotion and pleas for forgiveness contrast with her manipulative actions and mercenary behavior.
Characters to notice
- Julia Brabazon
Lady Ongar determines to break with Sophie after the Count's pursuit, confronts her, and ends their intimacy during the journey to London.
- Sophie Gordeloup
Sophie is accused of betraying Lady Ongar by bringing her brother to Freshwater; she pleads for forgiveness but ultimately quarrels with Lady Ongar and is dismissed.
- Count Pateroff
Count Pateroff is mentioned as having met Lady Ongar on the cliff, having been informed of her whereabouts by Sophie.
Key passages
“Lady Ongar, when she left Count Pateroff at the little fort on the cliff and entered by herself the gardens belonging to the hotel, had long since made up her mind that there should at last be a positive severance between herself and her devoted Sophie.”
After leaving Count Pateroff, Lady Ongar decided to finally break her relationship with Sophie.
This decision sets the chapter's central conflict in motion.
“Madame Gordeloup, that attitude is absurd;—I beg you will get up.”
Lady Ongar dismisses Sophie's theatrical kneeling as ridiculous.
Shows Lady Ongar's firmness and Sophie's manipulative tactics.
“Between you and me there shall be no further intimacy.”
Lady Ongar declares their friendship is over.
The definitive end of their association.