The Perfume of Eros · Chapter
Held Without Bail explained
Sylvia Waldron grapples with the aftermath of Loftus's murder, considering theories of suicide and footpad, while Orr dismisses them.
What happens
Sylvia Waldron grapples with the aftermath of Loftus's murder, considering theories of suicide and footpad, while Orr dismisses them. She visits Mrs. Loftus, who is distraught, and tries to see Fanny, but is rebuffed. Harris's story leads to Annandale's arrest and being held without bail. Sylvia, believing in Annandale's innocence, decides to deny any threat he made, and visits him in the Tombs, where they become betrothed. Meanwhile, Fanny falls ill and dies, and Sylvia blames herself for the tragedy.
Themes in this chapter
Scandal and Reputation
The scandal of Loftus's murder and Fanny's involvement affects public opinion and social standing, with the worldly forgiving Fanny only after her death.
Betrayal and Heartbreak
Sylvia feels betrayed by Annandale's actions and later blames herself for the tragedy, while Fanny's illness and death bring heartbreak.
Fate and Free Will
Sylvia contemplates fate and her own responsibility, feeling that her pride and actions led to the tragic outcomes.
Characters to notice
- Sylvia Waldron
Grapples with theories about Loftus's death, visits Mrs. Loftus, tries to see Fanny, and decides to support Annandale by denying his threat, leading to their betrothal.
- Melanchthon Orr
Discusses theories with Sylvia, defends Annandale as his client, arranges Sylvia's visit to the Tombs, and hints at a plan to discredit Harris.
- Arthur Annandale
Arrested and held without bail for Loftus's murder; denies the charge and becomes betrothed to Sylvia during a jail visit.
- Mrs. Loftus
In a pitiful state, mistakes Sylvia for Fanny, and whimpers about her son being away.
- Fanny
Ill and in hiding, she dies of typhoid in July, causing Sylvia to feel guilt.
- Richard Harris
His story provides the case against Annandale; Orr implies he will be discredited at trial.
Key passages
“Suicide is assassination driven in. It is the crisis of a preexisting condition, a condition wholly pathological, one which remorse may complicate but which it cannot directly induce.”
Orr argues that suicide stems from a pathological condition, not from remorse alone, and that Loftus was too sound to have killed himself.
Orr dismisses the suicide theory, emphasizing Loftus's lack of conscience.
“Public opinion be hanged. What is it but the stupidity of one multiplied by the stupidity of all. Vox populi, vox stulti.”
Orr dismisses public opinion as collective stupidity, asserting that the majority is often wrong.
Orr's cynical view of public sentiment in the case.
“Had Fanny lived, those circles would have visited their displeasure in not visiting her at all. But death is a peacemaker.”
Fanny's death reconciled society to her, as the scandal was forgiven and forgotten.
The social impact of Fanny's death on her reputation.