III: The Gates of Life explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Deception

  Marie's love for Loftus is contrasted with his deception. He made promises he never intended to keep, and she tried to deceive herself into believing he would marry her.

• Betrayal and Heartbreak

  Marie feels betrayed by Loftus's broken promises and his plan to abandon her. She is heartbroken and at the 'gates of her endurance'.

• Wealth and Materialism

  Loftus offers Marie money to leave, believing it can solve the situation. Marie's rejection of the money highlights the difference between his materialistic view and her desire for genuine love.

Characters to notice

• Marie Durand

  At the end of her endurance, she confronts Loftus about his broken promises and his plan to send her away. She throws his money out the window, declaring she wants him, not his wealth.

• Royal Loftus

  Arrives late, coldly suggests Marie go abroad, and admits he no longer intends to marry her. He offers her money as a parting gift, which she throws away.

• Blanche

  Marie's servant, a 'fat negress', rushes in when Marie cries out. She defends Marie against Loftus, saying he is not fit to treat a lady so.

• Signor Tambourini

  Marie's former voice teacher, who had told her she had a 'volcano of gold' in her throat and predicted great triumphs for her. He had declared his adoration for her, and she had to let him go.

Key passages

• “She had reached the gates of her endurance. She could stand no more. She must pass through them, pass or fall back, where she did not know, but somewhere, to some plane, in which, though life forsook her, at least its degradation would be foregone.”

  Marie felt she had reached her breaking point and could no longer endure her current situation. She felt she had to move forward into an unknown future, even if it meant losing her life, just to escape the degradation of her present circumstances.

  This captures Marie's emotional state at the beginning of the chapter, setting the stage for her confrontation with Loftus.

• “In him there was a reticence which perplexed, depths which she could not reach. At times his silence was that of one to whom something has happened, who is suffering from some constraint, from some pressure or from some long illness of which traces remain.”

  Marie found Loftus to be a mysterious and distant man. His silences sometimes seemed to stem from a hidden pain or past experience, which she could not understand or access.

  This describes Marie's perception of Loftus's character and the growing distance between them.

• “She had seemed to serve as a pastime, nothing more; a toy which now and then he took up, but only because it was there, beneath his feet.”

  Marie felt she was just a plaything for Loftus, someone he entertained himself with when it was convenient, not someone he truly cared for.

  This reveals Marie's growing awareness of her role in Loftus's life, which contributes to her despair.

• “She could sing him if not into affluence at least into ease. Tambourini, with whom until recently she had studied, had told her not once, out of politeness merely, but again and again that in her throat was a volcano of gold.”

  Marie believed her singing talent could provide them with a comfortable life. Her former teacher, Tambourini, had repeatedly assured her that her voice was exceptionally valuable and could bring her great success.

  This shows Marie's willingness to contribute to their life together and her potential for a different future.

• ““Liar,” she muttered. “Liar! I know and so do you. Yes, I knew it almost from the first, but, though I knew it, I tried as hard to deceive myself as you did to deceive me. You never intended to marry me, not for a moment, not even at the moment when you called God to witness that you would.””

  Marie directly accuses Loftus of lying about his intention to marry her. She admits she knew from the beginning but had tried to deceive herself, just as he had deceived her.

  This is the climax of Marie's confrontation, where she openly states the truth she has been avoiding.

• ““That is an agreeable way of getting rid of twelve thousand dollars,” he remarked. Yet, however lightly he affected to speak, the action annoyed him. Like all men of large means he was close. It seemed to him beastly to lose such a sum.”

  Loftus sarcastically comments on Marie throwing away the money, but he is actually annoyed by the loss. Despite his wealth, he is frugal and hates to lose such a large sum.

  This highlights Loftus's materialism and his different values compared to Marie.