# The Return of the Yellow Fay explained — The Perfume of Eros

> Chapter companion for The Perfume of Eros by Edgar Saltus.

## What happens

At a dinner party at Fanny's, the aftermath of a stock market crash is discussed. Loftus reveals he has sent away his mistress, Marie, at Fanny's orders. Fanny then tells Loftus she will speak to Annandale about their own marriage, implying she wants to leave him. Later, a drunk Annandale, enraged by the suspicion of his wife's affair with Loftus, goes to Sylvia's house, returns her lost pearls, and threatens to kill Loftus.

## Themes in this chapter

### Betrayal and Heartbreak

Annandale, fueled by alcohol, feels betrayed by his wife Fanny and his friend Loftus, believing they are planning to elope.

### Love and Deception

Fanny and Loftus's conversation reveals a deceptive relationship, with Loftus having been ordered to dismiss his mistress, and Fanny's intention to leave her husband for him.

### Wealth and Materialism

The dinner party conversation centers on the stock market crash, highlighting the characters' focus on financial loss and gain, and the 'vulgar' condition of money.

## Character check-ins

### Royal Loftus

Appears at Fanny's dinner party, discusses the market crash, and reveals he has sent away his mistress, Marie, at Fanny's command.

### Fanny

Hosts the dinner party, questions Loftus about Marie, and tells him she will speak to Annandale about their marriage, indicating she wants to leave him.

### Arthur Annandale

Present at the dinner party, visibly affected by the market crash and drinking heavily. Later, drunk, he threatens to kill Loftus and returns Sylvia's pearls.

### Sylvia Waldron

At the dinner party, distant with Loftus. Later, Annandale visits her to return her pearls and she pleads with him to go home.

### Melanchthon Orr

A guest at the dinner party, discusses the financial panic and its costs.

## Key lines

> It will cost the country $50,000,000,” said Orr.

Orr estimates the financial crash will result in a fifty million dollar loss for the country.

_Highlights the scale of the economic disaster being discussed._

> I shall kill him,” he added thickly.

Annandale, in a drunken rage, threatens to murder Loftus.

_Shows the extreme emotional state and violent intent brought on by alcohol and jealousy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/iv-the-return-of-the-yellow-fay
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters