The Maid of Sker · Chapter
LXVI: The Maid at Last Is 'Dentified' explained
Davy Llewellyn presents Delushy to Sir Philip Bampfylde as his long-lost granddaughter, Bertha Bampfylde, with evidence including the distinctive Bampfylde thumbnail mark.
What happens
Davy Llewellyn presents Delushy to Sir Philip Bampfylde as his long-lost granddaughter, Bertha Bampfylde, with evidence including the distinctive Bampfylde thumbnail mark. Lady Bampfylde (Isabel Carey) is initially overcome, and Colonel Lougher and Captain Bluett discreetly withdraw. Sir Philip, after initial shock, gratefully acknowledges the girl, and the likeness to his late wife confirms the identity.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Orphanhood
The central theme of the chapter: the restoration of a lost granddaughter to her family, resolving years of separation and uncertainty.
Truth and Narrative Reliability
Davy presents documentary evidence and the physical Bampfylde mark to verify Delushy's identity, emphasizing the importance of proof.
Social Class and Identity
Davy reflects on his own rise through merit, contrasting with the aristocratic concerns of lineage and inheritance.
Characters to notice
- Davy Llewellyn
Arranges the reunion of Delushy with Sir Philip, presenting evidence of her identity.
- Bardie
Not directly present in this chapter.
- Sir Philip Bampfylde
Receives his long-lost granddaughter Bertha (Delushy) with emotion and gratitude.
- Miss Delushy
Identified as Bertha Bampfylde, Sir Philip's granddaughter, and displays the Bampfylde thumbnail mark.
- Miss Isabel Carey
Now Lady Bampfylde, wife of Commodore Sir Drake Bampfylde; briefly overcome by the revelation.
- Colonel Lougher
Discreetly withdraws with Captain Bluett during the family reunion; later confirms the thumbnail mark.
Key passages
“However, as too often happens, we blamed a good man without cause. A good man rarely deserves much blame; whereas a bad man cannot have too much—whether he has earned it or otherwise—to restrain him from deserving more.”
We wrongly blamed a good man; good men seldom merit blame, while bad men deserve all they get, even if undeserved, to prevent worse behavior.
Davy reflects on misjudging Sir Philip's delay.
“Since my rise in the world began, I have found out one satisfactory thing—that a man gets on by merit. How long did I despair of this, and smoke pipes, and think over it; seeing many of my friends advancing, by what I call roguery!”
Since improving my station, I've learned that merit leads to success, though I once despaired watching others advance through dishonesty.
Davy comments on social mobility and his own experience.
“Sir Philip perceived a thing which had escaped me, though brought to my notice beforehand by our good Colonel Lougher; that is to say, how hard it would be upon the feelings of this young girl, to have her 'identity' (as Crowner Bowles entitled it) discussed in her own presence.”
Sir Philip realized, as Colonel Lougher had warned, that it would be distressing for Delushy to hear her identity debated in front of her.
Sensitivity shown to Delushy during the identification process.