The Maid of Sker · Chapter
Under Fairer Auspices explained
Davy crosses to Narnton Court to meet Miss Isabel Carey, revealing that he knows she is being watched by Parson Chowne.
What happens
Davy crosses to Narnton Court to meet Miss Isabel Carey, revealing that he knows she is being watched by Parson Chowne. He offers to serve her interests, and she hires him as a ferryman and spy, giving him a £5 note and a gun. The chapter also includes a story about Parson Chowne's notorious behavior and a bishop's visit to his rectory.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Narrative Reliability
Davy reflects on the reliability of stories about Parson Chowne, stating he only sets down what he knows to be true from multiple sources.
Morality and Hypocrisy
Parson Chowne is depicted as a hypocritical clergyman who uses his position for vengeance and neglects his duties, contrasting with the bishop's attempt to intervene.
Class Mobility and Ambition
Davy's interaction with Miss Carey shows his ambition to improve his station through service and integrity, while she offers him a salary and a gun.
Characters to notice
- Davy Llewellyn
Visits Narnton Court to speak with Miss Isabel Carey, offers to serve her interests, and accepts a £5 note and a gun.
- Miss Isabel Carey
Meets with Davy, hires him to watch for spies, gives him a £5 note and a gun, and advises him to avoid talking to servants.
- Parson Chowne
Mentioned as the wicked man who has set spies on Miss Carey; a story is told about his notorious behavior and a bishop's visit.
- Captain Drake Bampfylde
Referred to as Miss Carey's sweetheart and the ward of Sir Philip.
- Sir Philip Bampfylde
Mentioned as the guardian of Miss Carey and Captain Drake.
- Felix Farley
Mentioned as having been left behind by Davy due to romantic bashfulness.
Key passages
“I crossed the river to Narnton Court, and getting among the servants nicely, sent word in to Miss Isabel Carey that the old ferryman begged leave to see her upon business most particular.”
Davy went to Narnton Court and asked to see Miss Isabel Carey on important business.
Davy initiates contact with Miss Carey to warn her about being watched.
“Without for a moment sacrificing my true sense of dignity, I gave her to understand, very mildly, that I had seen something, and had taken a vague sense of its import, when I chanced to be after wild-ducks.”
Davy politely hinted that he had noticed something while duck hunting.
Davy reveals his knowledge of the spying without being explicit.
“Three guineas a-week you shall have at once; because you have behaved so nobly, and because you have fought for your country so, and been left with nothing (I think you said), with half of your lungs quite shot away, except twopence a-day to live upon!”
Miss Carey offers Davy three guineas a week for his noble behavior and his service as a veteran.
Miss Carey hires Davy with a generous salary.
“I would not make a fuss about it, lest I might hurt her feelings, but placed it in my pocket with a bow of silent gratitude.”
Davy accepted the £5 note quietly to avoid offending her.
Davy accepts the money while maintaining his dignity.
“Only the plague, said the stony woman; he was took with it yesterday; doctor says he may last two hours more almost, particular if he can get anybody to take the symptoms off him.”
The housekeeper told the bishop that Parson Chowne had the plague and might die soon.
A story about Parson Chowne's illness is used to deter the bishop.
