# V: Forty Thousand Pounds explained — The Dead Secret > Chapter companion for The Dead Secret by Wilkie Collins. ## What happens Andrew Treverton returns Rosamond's forty thousand pounds and dismisses Shrowl. Rosamond and Leonard cope with the death of Sarah Leeson, and Uncle Joseph insists on accompanying her remains to Cornwall. Rosamond writes to Doctor Chennery and Mr. Orridge. ## Themes in this chapter ### Guilt and Redemption Andrew Treverton's return of the fortune and his dismissal of Shrowl suggest a redemptive act, though he remains cynical. ### Family and Estrangement Uncle Joseph's grief and his insistence on accompanying Sarah's remains to Cornwall emphasize family bonds and loss. ### Memory and the Past The musical box serves as a memorial of Uncle Joseph's past, and the letter to Doctor Chennery recalls earlier events. ## Character check-ins ### Rosamond Frankland Receives the return of her fortune, grieves for her mother, and supports Uncle Joseph. ### Andrew Treverton Returns the forty thousand pounds and dismisses Shrowl, then plans to travel. ### Shrowl Dismissed by Andrew Treverton for copying the plan of Porthgenna. ### Uncle Joseph Grieves deeply for Sarah and insists on accompanying her remains to Cornwall. ### Leonard Frankland Supports Rosamond and discusses future plans after the inheritance. ### Mr. Nixon Visits Andrew Treverton on behalf of the Franklands and reports his refusal to accept messages. ## Key lines > The first thing Rosamond did, when she and her husband had a little recovered from their astonishment, was to disobey the injunction which forbade her to address any grateful letters to Mr. Treverton. Rosamond immediately wrote a thank-you note to Mr. Treverton, ignoring his request not to. _Shows Rosamond's defiance and gratitude._ > I told him that I could not possibly expect to merit his continued approval after what I had done, and that I could not think of detaining him in his place under the circumstances. Andrew Treverton sarcastically dismissed Shrowl, claiming he was unworthy of his servant's approval. _Highlights Andrew's misanthropic humor and his triumph over Shrowl._ > They are all gone⁠—my brother Max, my wife, my little Joseph, my sister Agatha, and Sarah, my niece! I and my little bit of box are left alone together in the world. Uncle Joseph laments that all his loved ones are dead, leaving him only with his musical box. _Emphasizes his profound grief and isolation._ > I think I could bear it better if you would let me go with her. Uncle Joseph asks to accompany Sarah's remains to Cornwall. _Shows his deep attachment and need to participate in the funeral._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters/v-forty-thousand-pounds - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dead_secret_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dead_secret_se/chapters