# XI: The Will of the Marquis de Beaugreval explained — The Secret Tomb

> Chapter companion for The Secret Tomb by Maurice Leblanc.

## What happens

Dorothy, overjoyed and relieved, dances and laughs before the five men gathered at Roche-Périac, including Maître Delarue, the notary from Nantes. She orchestrates the reading of a centuries-old sealed letter from the Marquis de Beaugreval, which reveals his plan to feign death and be resurrected after two centuries, summoning his descendants via gold medals to awaken him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Treasure and Legacy

The Marquis's will and gold medals represent a legacy spanning centuries, with the promise of resurrection as the ultimate treasure.

### Family and Kinship

Dorothy emphasizes familial bonds among the medal holders, calling them cousins and fostering unity despite their diverse origins.

### Adventure and Peril

The quest to awaken the Marquis involves a hidden staircase, secret mechanisms, and a risky resurrection ritual, embodying adventure.

### Resilience and Courage

Dorothy's emotional recovery and the Marquis's bold plan to cheat death highlight resilience and courage in facing the unknown.

## Character check-ins

### Dorothy

Expresses joy through tears, laughter, and dancing; takes charge of the gathering, questioning the notary and welcoming the medal holders as family.

### Maître Delarue

The notary from Nantes, entrusted with the sealed letter; initially flustered but recovers dignity to read the Marquis's testament.

### Marquis de Beaugreval

The deceased Marquis whose will orchestrates the reunion; his letter details his plan to feign death and be resurrected after two centuries.

### Geoffrey

Mentioned as the Marquis's faithful servant, sworn to obey his plan to fake death and transport him to the tower.

### Sire Barbier

The scrivener entrusted with the sealed letter and instructions; his office transmitted the missive across generations.

## Key lines

> Tears of joy, tears which relieved her strained nerves and bathed her in an immense peacefulness.

Dorothy cried from happiness, which eased her tension and brought her deep calm.

_Describes Dorothy's emotional release after the tension of the gathering._

> I, Dorothy, ropedancer and Princess of Argonne.

Dorothy declares herself both a performer and a noblewoman.

_Highlights Dorothy's dual identity and playful authority._

> In France notaries represent the dead.

In France, notaries act on behalf of deceased persons.

_Explains the notary's role in executing the will._

> Two centuries' sleep, the resting of my heart, which will scarcely beat, will, I have no doubt, have filled up my wrinkles and restored youth to my features.

The Marquis believes that sleeping for two hundred years will make him look younger.

_Reveals the Marquis's expectation of rejuvenation through suspended animation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/chapters/xi-the-will-of-the-marquis-de-beaugreval
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_tomb_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_secret_tomb_se/chapters