The Four Feathers · Chapter
XI: Durrance Hears News of Feversham explained
Durrance returns to London and learns of Dermod Eustace's death from Ethne.
What happens
Durrance returns to London and learns of Dermod Eustace's death from Ethne. She reveals that her father spoke of Harry Feversham on his deathbed, and asks Durrance for news of him. Durrance, still bitter, denies any wish to encounter Feversham. Ethne gently discourages Durrance's romantic hopes, urging him to try to forget her for a year. Later, Durrance receives a letter from Ethne indicating she has gone to Donegal, and he resumes writing to her from the Sudan, while Ethne struggles with the fear of spoiling another man's life.
Themes in this chapter
Memory and Regret
Durrance reflects on Feversham's enduring hold on others' affections, and Ethne carries the haunting fear of having spoiled one man's life.
Love and Sacrifice
Ethne urges Durrance to forget her for his own good, and Durrance's persistent hope is tempered by her selfless concern for his career.
Isolation and Loneliness
Dermod chooses to die alone, and Ethne waits outside the door in solitude, while Durrance sits alone at his club reflecting on his unrequited hopes.
Characters to notice
- Durrance
Returns to London, learns of Dermod's death, and struggles with bitterness toward Feversham while still hoping for Ethne's affection.
- Ethne Eustace
Grieves her father's death, asks Durrance for news of Feversham, and gently discourages Durrance's advances while fearing she may spoil his life.
- Harry Feversham
Mentioned as the subject of Dermod's last words and the object of Durrance's lingering resentment.
- Dermod Eustace
Dies at the end of May, recapturing his masterful spirit and choosing to die alone with his dog.
- Mrs. Adair
Hosts Ethne in London and later in Donegal, though her reasons for the latter are not fully explained.
Key passages
“He reflected upon the strange strong hold which Harry Feversham kept upon the affections of those who had once known him well; so that even the man whom he had wronged, and upon whose daughter he had brought much suffering, must remember him with kindliness upon his deathbed.”
Durrance muses that Feversham's charm persists even among those he has hurt, as Dermod's dying thoughts were kind.
Highlights Durrance's bitterness and the theme of memory and regret.
“And I never wish to,” he cried. “He was my friend, I know. But I cannot remember that friendship now. I can only think that if he had been the true man we took him for, you would not have waited alone in that dark passage during those six hours.”
Durrance angrily declares he has no desire to meet Feversham, blaming him for Ethne's suffering.
Shows Durrance's lingering anger and the impact of Feversham's actions.
“Try not to,” she exclaimed earnestly. “For this one year try not to. You have much to occupy your thoughts. Try to forget me altogether;””
Ethne pleads with Durrance to attempt to forget her for a year, hoping to spare him from a life tied to her.
Illustrates Ethne's sacrificial nature and her fear of ruining another life.