The Secret of Chimneys · Chapter
Anxiety in High Places explained
Lord Caterham is cornered by George Lomax outside his London club and reluctantly agrees to host a politically sensitive house party at Chimneys for Prince Michael Obolovitch, with the aim of securing oil concessions for a British syndicate
What happens
Lord Caterham is cornered by George Lomax outside his London club and reluctantly agrees to host a politically sensitive house party at Chimneys for Prince Michael Obolovitch, with the aim of securing oil concessions for a British syndicate. Lomax also reveals his anxiety over Count Stylptitch's memoirs, which could contain damaging secrets, and suggests inviting Virginia Revel to charm the Canadian James McGrath into delaying publication.
Themes in this chapter
Political Intrigue and Diplomacy
The entire chapter revolves around secret political maneuvering: a house party is arranged to secure oil concessions, and Lomax fears the memoirs could derail delicate negotiations.
Secrecy and Revelation
Lomax is anxious about the contents of Count Stylptitch's memoirs, which may reveal a past disappearance and other secrets that could cause a scandal.
Class and Social Hierarchy
The interactions between Lord Caterham, a reluctant aristocrat, and George Lomax, a politician, highlight the social expectations and duties of the upper class in maintaining political stability.
Characters to notice
- Lord Caterham
The ninth Marquis of Caterham, a small, shabbily dressed gentleman who dislikes politics and is reluctantly persuaded by George Lomax to host a house party at Chimneys.
- George Lomax
A robust, self-important politician who pressures Lord Caterham into hosting the party and expresses deep concern over Count Stylptitch's memoirs.
- Bill Eversleigh
Mentioned as a useful member of the house party, a decent shot whom Bundle likes.
- Bundle
Lord Caterham's daughter, Lady Eileen Brent, who is a red-hot socialist and would be unsuitable for the political maneuvering, but is expected to invite young, uncritical guests.
- Virginia Revel
George Lomax's cousin, a charming and intelligent woman suggested to handle James McGrath with tact; her late husband was at the embassy in Herzoslovakia.
- Herman Isaacstein
The representative of the all-British syndicate seeking oil concessions, invited to the house party.
- Prince Michael Obolovitch
The Herzoslovakian prince arriving for the house party, central to the political negotiations.
- Jimmy McGrath
A Canadian in Africa who is in possession of Count Stylptitch's memoirs and is due to arrive in London; Lomax hopes to influence him through Virginia Revel.
Key passages
“Quite so, my dear fellow, quite so”
Lord Caterham repeatedly uses this phrase to placate George Lomax and end the conversation.
Shows Caterham's passive resistance to Lomax's demands.
“One slip over this Herzoslovakian business and we’re done. It is most important that the Oil concessions should be granted to a British company.”
Lomax emphasizes the critical need to secure oil rights for Britain, implying high stakes.
Highlights the political and economic urgency driving the plot.
“The point is not whether people will read them or not—they’ll read them fast enough—but their publication at this juncture might ruin everything”
Lomax fears the memoirs' content could sabotage the political plan, not their readability.
Reveals Lomax's primary concern about the memoirs' timing and content.
