# The Twenty-Third of August, 1829 explained — The Dead Secret

> Chapter companion for The Dead Secret by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

In the early hours of August 23, 1829, Sarah Leeson is summoned to the deathbed of her mistress, Mrs. Treverton, who is dying of a terrible disease. Mrs. Treverton, a former actress, insists on speaking privately with Sarah, having sent her husband away. She makes Sarah swear oaths on a Bible: not to destroy a written paper after her death, not to take it away if she leaves the house, and to give it to her master. Before she can finish the third oath, she dies. Sarah hides the paper in her bosom as the doctor and servants enter.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Truth

The entire chapter revolves around a secret letter that Mrs. Treverton dictates and forces Sarah to swear oaths to protect, hinting at a hidden truth that could devastate the family.

### Guilt and Redemption

Sarah's terror and hesitation suggest a burden of guilt, possibly connected to the secret, while Mrs. Treverton's deathbed actions imply a desire to control the aftermath of her own past.

### Love and Marriage

Mrs. Treverton's love for her husband is evident, yet she cannot bring herself to tell him the secret, showing the tension between marital affection and hidden truths.

## Character check-ins

### Sarah Leeson

Summoned to her mistress's deathbed, she is terrified and hesitant, swears oaths under duress, and hides the secret letter after Mrs. Treverton's death.

### Mrs. Treverton

The dying mistress, a former actress, dictates a secret letter and forces Sarah to swear oaths regarding it, but dies before completing the third oath.

### Captain Treverton

He leaves the sickroom in tears after his wife sends him away; Sarah observes him with suspicion and fear.

### Mr. Orridge

The doctor who attends Mrs. Treverton; he enters after her death and instructs a servant to inform the captain.

## Key lines

> Swear that you will not destroy this paper after I am dead.

Make a solemn promise that you will not tear up or burn this document once I have passed away.

_Mrs. Treverton forces Sarah to swear on the Bible to preserve the secret letter._

> Swear that you will not take this paper away with you, if you leave the house, after I am dead.

Promise that you will not remove this document from the house if you depart after my death.

_The second oath ensures the letter remains in the house, presumably for Captain Treverton to find._

> I haven't done⁠—you must swear⁠—close, close, come close⁠—a third thing⁠—your master⁠—swear to give it⁠—

I am not finished—you must promise—come nearer—a third matter—your master—swear to hand it over—

_Mrs. Treverton dies before completing the third oath, leaving the instruction unfinished._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/i-the-twenty-third-of-august-1829
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dead_secret_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters