The Four Feathers · Chapter
XXIII: Mrs. Adair Makes Her Apology explained
Durrance says goodbye to Ethne at The Pool, and Mrs.
What happens
Durrance says goodbye to Ethne at The Pool, and Mrs. Adair insists on speaking with him alone. As they walk through the garden, Mrs. Adair confesses her long-held jealousy and admits that she deliberately brought Ethne and Feversham together years ago to keep Durrance for herself. She reveals her bitterness over Ethne's engagement to Durrance, her resentment of Ethne's pity, and her own unhappy marriage. Durrance listens with growing understanding and pity, acknowledging that she has suffered too. After he leaves, Mrs. Adair realizes the futility of her outburst and the loss of his friendship.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Mrs. Adair's confession reveals her unrequited love for Durrance and the sacrifices she made, while Durrance's pity for her shows his own sacrifice of anger.
Memory and Regret
Mrs. Adair reflects on her past actions with regret, realizing the folly of her interference and the loss of a true friendship.
Isolation and Loneliness
Mrs. Adair's loneliness is palpable as she stands alone on the terrace, and her confession highlights her emotional isolation despite being surrounded by others.
Characters to notice
- Durrance
Says goodbye to Ethne and listens to Mrs. Adair's confession with growing sympathy, realizing her pain.
- Mrs. Adair
Confesses her jealousy and manipulation, revealing her unhappy past and the regret that follows her outburst.
- Ethne Eustace
Bids farewell to Durrance on the terrace, unaware of Mrs. Adair's intentions.
Key passages
“I was married almost straight from school. I was the merest girl. I knew nothing, and I was married to a man of whom I knew nothing.”
Mrs. Adair explains that she was married very young, without any knowledge of her husband, arranged by her mother.
Reveals her unhappy marriage and the lack of agency she had in her own life.
“I am not afraid. I am not afraid.”
Mrs. Adair passionately insists that she is not afraid of Durrance's blindness, unlike Ethne.
Shows her desperation and her attempt to prove her love compared to Ethne's perceived fear.
“She had shot her bolt and hit no one but herself and the man for whom she cared.”
Mrs. Adair realizes that her confession hurt only herself and Durrance, the man she loved.
Highlights her regret and the futility of her outburst.