The Mystery of Orcival · Chapter
XXVIII explained
After Trémorel's death, Bertaud and Guespin are freed and compensated.
What happens
After Trémorel's death, Bertaud and Guespin are freed and compensated. M. Plantat marries Laurence Courtois and they depart for Italy. M. Courtois sells his estate and plans to move. M. Lecoq receives a letter from Laurence and a deed to Plantat's estate, realizing his help was appreciated.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Injustice
Bertaud and Guespin are freed and compensated, suggesting a form of restitution for their wrongful treatment.
Marriage and Domesticity
M. Plantat marries Laurence Courtois, marking a domestic resolution to the events.
Characters to notice
- Philippe Bertaud
Set at liberty and given four thousand francs to buy a boat and new tackle.
- Guespin
Set at liberty and given ten thousand francs, with a promise of more if he returns to his province.
- M. Plantat
Marries Laurence Courtois and departs for Italy for at least a year.
- Laurence Courtois
Marries M. Plantat and sends a gracious letter and deed to M. Lecoq.
- M. Lecoq
Receives a letter from Laurence and a title deed to M. Plantat's estate, becoming a landed proprietor.
Key passages
“The day after Trémorel’s death, old Bertaud and Guespin were set at liberty, and received, the former four thousand francs to buy a boat and new tackle, and the latter ten thousand francs, with a promise of a like sum at the end of the year, if he would go and live in his own province.”
Following Trémorel's death, Bertaud and Guespin were released and given money—Bertaud for a new boat, Guespin a large sum with a future bonus if he moved away.
Resolution of their imprisonment and compensation.
“M. Plantat wedded Mlle. Laurence Courtois; and the groom and bride departed that very evening for Italy, where it was announced they would linger at least a year.”
Plantat married Laurence Courtois and they left immediately for a year-long honeymoon in Italy.
Marriage and departure of Plantat and Laurence.
“M. Lecoq, like everybody else, would, doubtless, have forgotten the Valfeuillu affair, had it not been that a notary called on him personally the other morning with a very gracious letter from Laurence, and an enormous sheet of stamped paper. This was no other than a title deed to M. Plantat’s pretty estate at Orcival...”
Lecoq would have forgotten the case, but a notary delivered a letter from Laurence and a deed to Plantat's estate, making him a landowner.
Lecoq's reward and acknowledgment from Laurence.