# Supper at the Belle Étoile explained — The Room in the Dragon Volant > Chapter companion for The Room in the Dragon Volant by J. Sheridan Le Fanu. ## What happens The narrator attends the table-d'hôte at the Belle Étoile, where he sits with the Marquis d'Harmonville, who warns him about the dangers of Parisian gaming houses and the sophisticated rogues who prey on wealthy foreigners. The Marquis recounts his own failed attempt to break a gaming table and advises the narrator to keep his money safe. He also mentions the Comte de St. Alyre, a man of honour who is jealously protective of his much younger wife. Meanwhile, the narrator observes the pale and boastful Colonel Gaillarde, whose earlier strange outburst in the yard still unsettles him. After supper, the narrator sits alone by the fire, musing on the beautiful Countess. ## Themes in this chapter ### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality The Marquis warns the narrator about elegant gaming houses that appear as private mansions but are actually traps to rob guests, highlighting the theme of deceptive appearances. ### Innocence and Exploitation The narrator, a wealthy and naive young Englishman, is portrayed as a potential victim for the 'ghouls and harpies' of Paris, emphasizing his vulnerability to exploitation. ### Class and Wealth The Marquis discusses how rogues mimic the manners of the upper class to lure wealthy victims, and the narrator's large fortune makes him a target. ## Character check-ins ### The Narrator Sits at the table-d'hôte with the Marquis, listens to warnings about Parisian rogues, and later reflects on the Countess. ### Marquis d'Harmonville Joins the narrator at supper, offers advice about gaming houses, and speaks highly of the Comte de St. Alyre. ### Colonel Gaillarde Sits nearby at supper, boasts loudly about his miraculous healing abilities, and is described as extremely pale. ### Count de St. Alyre Mentioned by the Marquis as a man of honour who is jealously protective of his young wife; not present at supper. ### Countess de St. Alyre Mentioned as the Count's beautiful young wife; the narrator thinks of her longingly after supper. ## Key lines > The French army were in a rather savage temper, just then. The English, especially, had but scant courtesy to expect at their hands. At that time, the French soldiers were hostile, and English visitors could expect little politeness from them. _Sets the historical tension between the French and English after the Napoleonic Wars._ > If you have not an experienced friend as a companion during your visit— Without a wise guide, Paris is a dangerous place for a young gentleman. _The Marquis warns the narrator about the perils of traveling alone in Paris._ > In Paris, the class who live by their wits, is three or four times as great as in London; and they live much better; some of them even splendidly. Paris has far more clever criminals than London, and they enjoy a luxurious lifestyle. _Highlights the sophistication of Parisian rogues compared to their London counterparts._ > The gentleman I speak of is the Comte de St. Alyre. He represents a very old family. He is the very soul of honour, and the most sensible man in the world, except in one particular. The Comte de St. Alyre is an honorable and sensible man, except for his one flaw. _Introduces the Count and hints at his jealousy over his young wife._ > On the honour of a soldier, there is no man’s flesh in this company heals so fast as mine. As a soldier, I swear my wounds heal faster than anyone else's here. _Colonel Gaillarde's boastful claim about his miraculous healing ability._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters/v-supper-at-the-belle-toile - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_room_in_the_dragon_volant_se/chapters