# XV: The Escape from Mardonale explained — The Skylark of Space

> Chapter companion for The Skylark of Space by E. E. Smith.

## What happens

Seaton, Crane, Dorothy, Margaret, and their allies make a daring escape from Nalboon's palace, using a bluff and quick action to overcome guards. Meanwhile, Seaton and Dorothy, and Crane and Margaret, decide to marry on Osnome to ensure their safety and unity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Romance

Seaton and Dorothy, and Crane and Margaret, decide to marry on Osnome, highlighting their deepening bonds.

### Survival and Resilience

The group executes a daring escape from Nalboon's palace, relying on quick thinking and violence to survive.

## Character check-ins

### Richard Seaton

Leads the escape, uses a football plunge to disable guards, and proposes marriage to Dorothy.

### Dorothy Vaneman

Expresses fear and nervousness, suggests marriage on Osnome to Seaton.

### Martin Crane

Comforts Margaret, agrees to a double marriage on Osnome.

### Margaret Spencer

Ill at ease about Crane's wealth, but agrees to marry him on Osnome.

### Marc DuQuesne

Comments on Dunark's silencer during the escape.

### Dunark

Leads the escape party, uses a silenced pistol to kill guards, advises Seaton on tactics.

## Key lines

> That was a wonderful bluff, Dick!

Dunark praises Seaton's successful bluff against Nalboon.

_Dunark acknowledges Seaton's strategic deception._

> I'm scared purple... when I'm alone or with Peggy, especially in the sleeping-period, which is so awfully long and when it seems that something terrible is going to happen every minute, my mind goes off in spite of me into thoughts of what may happen.

Dorothy confesses her fear and anxiety during the long nights on Osnome.

_Dorothy reveals her vulnerability and reliance on Seaton._

> Don't you know that a marriage that is legal where it is performed is legal anywhere, and that no law says that the marriage must be performed upon the Earth?

Dorothy suggests they marry on Osnome, as it would be legally valid.

_Dorothy proposes a pragmatic solution to their need for security._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xv-the-escape-from-mardonale
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters