# XIX explained — The Return

> Chapter companion for The Return by Walter de la Mare.

## What happens

Lawford discovers that the portrait and memoir of Sabathier have been removed from the book, realizing Sheila has taken them. He returns home to an empty, strange house, then leaves with Grisel, who offers him refuge. He struggles with his conscience and his past, ultimately deciding to go with her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Transformation

Lawford reflects on his changed face and heart, and the impossibility of proving his identity to a skeptical world.

### Isolation and Alienation

Lawford feels like a stranger in his own home, and the empty house mirrors his inner desolation.

### The Search for Peace

Lawford seeks rest and escape from his haunted past, finding a tentative hope in Grisel's offer of refuge.

## Character check-ins

### Arthur Lawford

Discovers the Sabathier material is gone, returns home feeling like a stranger, and leaves with Grisel after a crisis of conscience.

### Sheila

Implied to have taken the Sabathier pages; Lawford thinks of her quiet vigilance and her plans to prove his identity.

### Grisel

Drives Lawford home and later waits for him; she offers comfort and urges him to rest, and he asks to come with her.

### Herbert

Orders the governess cart and sends Grisel with a commission; Lawford thinks of his plan to translate the Sabathier book.

### Ada

The maid who checks on Lawford and reports that Alice visited; Lawford sends a message through her to Sheila.

### Alicia

Visits Lawford against Sheila's wishes; Lawford speaks with her briefly before she leaves.

## Key lines

> Yes, Sabathier was gone. Quite the old slow Lawford smile crept over his face at the discovery.

Lawford realizes the Sabathier material has been removed and smiles wryly.

_Confirms the removal of the portrait and memoir from the book._

> He shut back the telltale drawer, and after trying to collect his thoughts in case anything should have been forgotten, he turned with a deep trembling sigh to descend the stairs.

Lawford closes the secret drawer and tries to compose himself before going downstairs.

_Shows his anxiety and the significance of the missing document._

> What a fool, what a coward she thinks I am!

Lawford imagines Grisel sees him as foolish and cowardly.

_Reflects his self-doubt and concern about others' perceptions._

> Life was a tale told by an idiot—signifying nothing.

Lawford feels that life is meaningless and absurd.

_Echoes Shakespeare's Macbeth, emphasizing his despair._

> Ask me to come!—a stranger with no history, no mockery, no miserable rant of a grave and darkness and fear behind me.

Lawford begs Grisel to let him come with her, as a man without a past.

_Highlights his desire to escape his identity and start anew._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_se/chapters/xix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_return_se/chapters