# XXII explained — The Secret City

> Chapter companion for The Secret City by Hugh Walpole.

## What happens

At Nina's birthday party, tensions rise as political arguments erupt between Boris Grogoff and Nicholas Markovitch, culminating in Grogoff throwing a glass at Markovitch. Nina defuses the situation with a dramatic kiss, but underlying emotional currents—including a revealing look between Vera and Lawrence—suggest deeper conflicts. The narrator, Ivan Andreievitch, leaves into a surreal, silent night.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revolution and Disillusionment

The political argument between Grogoff and Markovitch highlights conflicting views on Russia's future and the failure of previous uprisings.

### Love and Sacrifice

The secret look between Vera and Lawrence reveals their emotional bond, while Markovitch's desperate gaze at Vera shows his unrequited love.

### The Role of the Observer

Ivan Andreievitch narrates the events, noticing subtle cues and reflecting on the characters' hidden emotions.

## Character check-ins

### Ivan Andreievitch

Narrator and observer of the party; notices tensions and the exchange between Vera and Lawrence.

### Nina Michailovna

Birthday girl; initially cheerful, then controls the situation after the glass-throwing incident by kissing Grogoff.

### Vera Michailovna

Anxious and tired; exchanges a significant look with Lawrence that reveals their connection.

### Boris Nicolaievitch Grogoff

Drunk and provocative; argues about the war and throws a glass at Markovitch, later apologizes.

### Nicholas Markovitch

Host; tries to be agreeable but is drawn into a political argument; shows jealousy and desperation toward Vera.

### Alexei Petrovitch Semyonov

Quiet observer; flatters Markovitch and seems to anticipate the conflict.

## Key lines

> He was intended, by nature, to be mysterious and malevolent, and had he only had a malevolent spirit there would have been no tragedy—but in the confused welter that he called his soul, malevolence was the least of the elements, and other things—love, sympathy, twisted self-pity, ambition, courage, and cowardice—drowned it.

Markovitch was naturally suited to be mysterious and evil, but if he had been purely malevolent, tragedy would have been avoided; instead, his soul was a chaotic mix of love, sympathy, self-pity, ambition, courage, and cowardice that overwhelmed any malice.

_Ivan reflects on Markovitch's complex character._

> But the Fates despise those who appeal.

The Fates look down on people who beg for mercy.

_Ivan observes Markovitch's anxious demeanor._

> That look which they exchanged, a look of revelation, of happiness, of sudden marvellous security, was so significant that I could have cried out to them both, 'Look out! Look out!'

The glance between Vera and Lawrence revealed their joy and newfound safety, so telling that Ivan wanted to warn them of the danger.

_Ivan notices the intimate moment between Vera and Lawrence._

## Links

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