The Great Impersonation · Chapter
XV explained
Sir Everard Dominey participates in a shooting party at Dominey Hall, where his skill with a gun impresses the old keeper Middleton.
What happens
Sir Everard Dominey participates in a shooting party at Dominey Hall, where his skill with a gun impresses the old keeper Middleton. The Duchess Caroline expresses her displeasure at the impending arrival of Princess Eiderstrom, whom Dominey claims to have met only recently after she mistook him for Baron Leopold Von Ragastein. Seaman hints at hidden knowledge about the Princess's visit. The party avoids the Black Wood due to local superstition, and Dominey's calm handling of the situation reassures the beaters.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Impersonation
Dominey's resemblance to Baron Von Ragastein is a central point of tension, with Princess Eiderstrom mistaking him for her former lover.
Class and Social Performance
The shooting party and the Duchess's concerns about social propriety highlight the performance of aristocratic identity and social expectations.
Espionage and National Loyalty
The presence of the German Ambassador and Seaman, along with the Duke's distrust, underscores espionage and conflicting national loyalties.
Characters to notice
- Sir Everard Dominey
Shows exceptional shooting skill, handles the Duchess's suspicions about Princess Eiderstrom, and calmly manages the superstition around the Black Wood.
- Mr. Seaman
Observes Dominey's shooting with admiration, hints at undisclosed information about Princess Eiderstrom's visit, and is disliked by the Duchess.
- Rosamund Dominey
Not directly present in this chapter.
- Princess Eiderstrom
Expected to arrive at Dominey Hall; the Duchess is irritated by her impending visit and her past association with Baron Von Ragastein.
- Baron Leopold Von Ragastein
Mentioned as the man Princess Eiderstrom mistook Dominey for; he was her lover in Hungary and was exiled to East Africa.
- Caroline
The Duchess, expresses annoyance about Princess Eiderstrom's visit and questions Dominey about his acquaintance with her.
- Middleton
The old keeper, praises Dominey's shooting and shows fear when the Black Wood is mentioned.
- Prince Terniloff
Participates in the shoot, is affable, and suggests driving pheasants from the Black Wood, unaware of the local superstition.
Key passages
“we ever met,” Dominey replied, “was in the Carlton grill room, a few days after I landed in England. She mistook me for someone else, and we parted with the usual apologies.”
Dominey explains that his first meeting with Princess Eiderstrom was accidental; she confused him with another man.
Dominey downplays his acquaintance with the Princess to the Duchess.
“She mistook you for a Baron Leopold Von Ragastein,” Caroline continued drily. “Von Ragastein was her lover in Hungary. He fought a duel with her husband and killed him.”
Caroline reveals that the Princess mistook Dominey for her former lover, who killed her husband in a duel.
This adds a layer of intrigue and potential danger to the Princess's visit.
“You wouldn't put the beaters in there, Squire?” he faltered; “not that there's one of them would go.””
Middleton expresses fear at the idea of entering the Black Wood, indicating a local superstition.
The Black Wood is associated with supernatural dread, likely tied to the ghost of Roger Unthank.
