The Perfume of Eros · Chapter
The Ex-First Lady explained
Loftus reflects on his pursuit of Marie Durand, a young, impressionable girl he spotted on Fifth Avenue.
What happens
Loftus reflects on his pursuit of Marie Durand, a young, impressionable girl he spotted on Fifth Avenue. He follows her home and, through a series of deceptions involving an apothecary and Mme. Machin, arranges an introduction. He declares his love for her, overwhelming the naive Marie, who is both startled and captivated by his attention.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Deception
Loftus's entire pursuit of Marie is built on deception, from learning her name incorrectly to paying Mme. Machin for an introduction. His declaration of love is a calculated move, not a genuine emotion.
Wealth and Materialism
Loftus's wealth is his primary tool. He sends flowers, uses a motor van, and offers a hundred dollars to buy an introduction, highlighting the power of money in social interactions.
Appearance vs. Reality
Mme. Machin presents herself as a 'prima donna' but is revealed to be a tired, impoverished woman. Loftus appears gallant and romantic to Marie, but his intentions are manipulative.
Characters to notice
- Royal Loftus
Reflects on his pursuit of Marie Durand, finding her more reasonable than Fanny. He orchestrates an introduction through Mme. Machin and declares his love.
- Marie Durand
A young, impressionable girl of nineteen living in Gay Street. She is aware of Loftus's pursuit and is overwhelmed by his declaration of love.
- Mme. Machin
The 'ex-first lady' and voice teacher. She accepts a hundred dollars from Loftus to arrange an introduction to Marie, rationalizing it with 'il faut vivre!'
- Fanny
Mentioned as being 'ideal' but 'exacting, ambitious even' with a 'mania for matrimony' in Loftus's thoughts.
Key passages
“Fanny, he reflected, was ideal. But exacting, ambitious even. She had a perfect mania for matrimony.”
Loftus thought Fanny was perfect, but also demanding and overly focused on getting married.
This shows Loftus's view of Fanny and his preference for Marie, whom he sees as more manageable.
“Poverty is not a crime. But it is rumored to be an incentive.”
Being poor isn't illegal, but it often pushes people to do questionable things.
This explains Mme. Machin's motivation for accepting Loftus's bribe.
“Because I could not help myself. Because at the first sight of you I knew that I loved you. Because I felt that I could never love anyone else.”
Loftus claims he was compelled by love at first sight and could never love another.
This is a calculated declaration designed to overwhelm and impress the naive Marie.