# XVII explained — The Great Impersonation

> Chapter companion for The Great Impersonation by E. Phillips Oppenheim.

## What happens

Rosamund Dominey returns home unexpectedly from a nursing home, welcomed warmly by Dominey. She shows signs of recovery but remains fragile. Later, Caroline and Dominey discuss his changed demeanor and the unresolved mystery of Roger Unthank's death. Their conversation is interrupted by the arrival of Doctor Harrison at midnight, who insists on seeing Dominey immediately.

## Themes in this chapter

### Madness and Memory

Rosamund's return from a nursing home and her fragile mental state highlight the theme of madness and recovery.

### Identity and Impersonation

Caroline's observations about Dominey's changed speech and demeanor suggest a possible identity shift or transformation.

### Class and Social Performance

The interactions among guests, servants, and the host illustrate the performance of social roles in a country house setting.

## Character check-ins

### Sir Everard Dominey

Welcomes Rosamund home with tenderness, engages in conversation with Caroline about his transformation, and receives Doctor Harrison at midnight.

### Rosamund Dominey

Returns unexpectedly from a nursing home, showing improvement but still frail; expresses joy at being home and affection for Dominey.

### Caroline

Converses with Dominey about his changed behavior and the mystery of Roger Unthank's death; present when Doctor Harrison arrives.

### Princess Eiderstrom

Mentioned as having gone to her room in a tantrum after Dominey left her to welcome Rosamund.

### Doctor Harrison

Arrives at midnight, covered in snow, insisting on seeing Dominey after receiving Lady Dominey's telegram.

### Eddy Pelham

Mentioned as playing billiards with Mr. Mangan.

## Key lines

> With a self-control of which he gave no sign, he touched the lips which were raised so eagerly to his as tenderly and reverently as though this were some strange child committed to his care.

Dominey kissed Rosamund gently and respectfully, hiding his own emotions, treating her like a fragile child entrusted to him.

_Highlights Dominey's careful, protective demeanor toward Rosamund._

> I sometimes find it difficult to believe that you are the same man.

Caroline tells Dominey that his changed behavior makes her question if he is the same person she once knew.

_Emphasizes the theme of identity and transformation._

> Did you kill Roger Unthank?

Caroline directly asks Dominey if he was responsible for Roger Unthank's death.

_Central to the unresolved mystery and Dominey's past._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_impersonation_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters