# XXI explained — The Secret City

> Chapter companion for The Secret City by Hugh Walpole.

## What happens

Durward attends a circus performance with Vera, Nina, Lawrence, and Bohun. He observes Vera's quiet happiness and Nina's desperate attempt to gain Lawrence's attention by placing her hand on his knee. Nina later confesses her feelings to Durward, revealing her jealousy of Vera and her threat to run away with Boris Grogoff if she cannot have Lawrence as a friend. Lawrence tactfully switches seats with Durward. Earlier, the Rat visits Durward, hinting at impending revolutionary trouble.

## Themes in this chapter

### Youth and Idealism

Nina's impulsive actions and desperate plea for Lawrence's friendship highlight her youthful naivety and idealism, contrasted with Durward's more cynical perspective.

### Love and Sacrifice

Durward reflects on Vera's capacity for deep passion and the potential tragedy of her love for Lawrence, while Nina's jealousy and threats reveal the complexities of romantic desire.

### The Role of the Observer

Durward acts as a passive observer, noting the dynamics between the characters and feeling helpless to intervene, reinforcing his role as a detached chronicler.

## Character check-ins

### M. Durward

Narrator and observer; sits behind the group at the circus, reflects on Vera's character, and advises Nina.

### Vera Michailovna

Quiet but appears happier than usual; Durward admires her nobility and gentleness.

### Nina Michailovna

Dressed in white silk with blue bows; puts her hand on Lawrence's knee, confesses her jealousy of Vera, and threatens to run away with Boris Grogoff.

### Jerry Lawrence

Sits next to Nina initially; later tactfully asks Durward to take his seat beside her.

### Henry Bohun

Looks after Vera during the circus performance.

### The Rat

Visits Durward, drunk and cheerful, hinting at upcoming revolutionary trouble and asking for money.

## Key lines

> I knew that she could be impatient with stupid people, and irritated by sentimentality, and infuriated by meanness and cruelty, but the whole size and grandeur of her nobility seemed to me to shine all about her and set her apart from the rest of human beings.

Durward acknowledges Vera's flaws but sees her nobility as something that elevates her above others.

_Reflects Durward's deep admiration for Vera's character._

> I saw at once, as though she had told me, that she had committed herself to a most desperate venture.

Durward immediately understands that Nina's action of placing her hand on Lawrence's knee is a bold and risky move.

_Highlights Durward's perceptiveness and Nina's desperation._

> You never have any blood. You’re all cold as ice.

Nina accuses Englishmen of being emotionally cold and lacking passion.

_Shows Nina's frustration with English reserve and her volatile temper._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters/xxi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_city_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_city_se/chapters