# The Start explained — The Laughing Cavalier

> Chapter companion for The Laughing Cavalier by Baroness Orczy.

## What happens

Diogenes leaves the hostelry at night, skates toward Haarlem to fulfill a promise to Frans Hals, while his companions Pythagoras and Socrates sleep in the taproom. He reflects on his temper with Gilda and plans to rejoin the party at Houdekerk.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Diogenes undertakes a dangerous night journey to fulfill a promise to his friend Frans Hals, demonstrating self-sacrifice for friendship.

### Fate and Chance

Diogenes reflects on his hazardous career and the risks he takes with indifference, trusting to fortune and the ultimate end.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Diogenes' outward good humor masks his inner turmoil after the interview with Gilda; he struggles to hold his temper.

## Character check-ins

### Diogenes

Departs alone at night, skates toward Haarlem to redeem a promise to Frans Hals; reflects on his encounter with Gilda.

### Gilda Beresteyn

Mentioned in Diogenes' thoughts; he recalls the unpleasant interview and his temptation to kiss her.

### Pythagoras

Asleep in the taproom with Socrates; ordered to proceed to Houdekerk in the morning.

### Socrates

Asleep in the taproom with Pythagoras; part of the group ordered to Houdekerk.

### Frans Hals

The friend whose ambition Diogenes seeks to satisfy by returning to Haarlem.

## Key lines

> It was not the first time in his hazardous career that he had undertaken such a journey. He was accustomed to take all risks in life with indifference and good humour, the only thing that mattered was the ultimate end: an exciting experience to go through, a goodly competence to earn, a promise to fulfil.

Diogenes is no stranger to dangerous journeys; he faces risks with calm and cheerfulness, focused only on the goal: adventure, reward, and keeping his word.

_Highlights Diogenes' adventurous spirit and his motivation for the night journey._

> Dondersteen ! how I could have crushed that sharp-tongued young vixen till she cried for mercy⁠ ⁠… or silenced those venomous lips with a kiss!⁠ ⁠… I was sore tempted indeed to give her real cause for calling me a knave.⁠ ⁠…

Diogenes inwardly fumes about Gilda, imagining either crushing her or kissing her, and admits he was tempted to prove her right in calling him a knave.

_Reveals Diogenes' conflicted feelings toward Gilda—anger mixed with attraction._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters/xviii-the-start
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_laughing_cavalier_se/chapters