# II explained — The Monster > Chapter companion for The Monster by Edgar Saltus. ## What happens In Paris, Howard Tempest attends a dinner at the home of his cousin, the Duchesse de Joyeuse, where he meets the beautiful and enigmatic Madame Barouffska (formerly Mrs. Verplank). The evening is filled with witty, often cynical conversation among the guests, touching on marriage, fate, spiritual ideas, and social scandals. Tempest and Leilah Barouffska share a private conversation about fate and a mystical philosophy from the Vidya, while Aurelia, Violet Silverstairs, and others engage in light-hearted banter. The chapter establishes the sophisticated, morally ambiguous world of the expatriate aristocracy. ## Themes in this chapter ### Social Class and Identity The dinner party showcases the interplay between European aristocracy and wealthy Americans, with characters like Leilah and Aurelia navigating their identities as American heiresses in Parisian society. ### Desire and Self-Destruction Tempest's remark about cutting his throat for Aurelia and the general tone of cynical indulgence hint at the self-destructive undercurrents of desire and social performance. ### Spiritual Search Leilah and Tempest discuss reincarnation, the Vidya, and the idea of divine envoys, reflecting a search for meaning beyond the superficial social world. ### Scandal and Reputation Leilah's past marriages and divorce, as well as the gossip about Lord Auld Reekie's bankruptcy, highlight the importance of reputation and scandal in this social circle. ## Character check-ins ### Howard Tempest A red-haired Englishman with a scarred face, cynical and observant, attending his cousin's dinner. ### Leilah Verplank Now Madame Barouffska, a beautiful American with a mysterious past, engaged in a deep conversation with Tempest. ### Camille de Joyeuse The Duchesse de Joyeuse, Tempest's cousin, hostess of the dinner, known for her wit and charm. ### Aurelia A young American heiress with an innocent yet provocative manner, engaged to Lord Buttercups. ### Violet Silverstairs An American socialite, part of the dinner party, discussing gossip about a bankruptcy. ### Barouffski Leilah's current husband, not present at the dinner but expected to join later. ### Marie de Fresnoy The young Baronne de Fresnoy, flirtatious and bold, seated near Tempest. ### Prince Farnese A handsome but impoverished Roman prince, lounging near Aurelia. ## Key lines > You will think it childish of me, perhaps, but, like all young girls⁠—like all young and inexperienced girls⁠—I have an ideal. A mere maiden's fancy, no doubt, and yet one which I cherish so. It is a vision which at times I have of a blind man, a deaf mute, a divine creature, invalid and octogenarian, who would not know what I did and would not care. Aurelia describes her ideal partner as a helpless, oblivious old man who would not interfere with her actions. _Aurelia's ironic and provocative statement about her romantic ideal reveals her manipulative and cynical nature beneath a veneer of innocence._ > It is beautiful to think that earthward from some chromatic star the soul of Krishna may have sunk. But the idea is not mine. I found it in the Vidya. Leilah shares a beautiful spiritual concept about divine souls descending to Earth, attributing it to the Vidya. _Leilah's reference to the Vidya and reincarnation shows her intellectual and spiritual depth, contrasting with the frivolous gossip around her._ > Do you believe in fate? Leilah asks Tempest if he believes in fate. _This question, posed at the end of the chapter, introduces the theme of fate and sets up a deeper connection between Leilah and Tempest._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_monster_se/chapters/ii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_monster_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_monster_se/chapters