A Bold Adventure explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Social Class and Inequality

  Norbert's shabby dress contrasts with his expected fortune; Diana's lack of dowry drives her to pursue a wealthy husband.

• Marriage as Transaction

  Diana's father explicitly tells her to fascinate a wealthy gentleman; Diana herself views marriage as a means to become a duchess with a large income.

• Power and Manipulation

  The Duke manipulates Norbert's life with strict control; Diana skillfully plans to win Norbert despite his father's vigilance.

Characters to notice

• Louis Norbert de Champdoce

  Referred to as the 'Young Savage of Champdoce'; given a gun and dog by his father but remains resentful and contemplates visiting Daumon.

• Diana de Laurebourg

  The 'Belle of Poitiers'; secretly resolves to marry Norbert, visiting the poor near Champdoce to catch a glimpse of him.

• Duke de Champdoce

  Relaxes his treatment of Norbert, giving him a gun and the role of farm-bailiff, but Norbert's hatred remains.

• Daumon

  Described as a dangerous man; Norbert considers seeking further advice from him despite warnings.

• Marquis de Laurebourg

  Diana's father; wealthy but his property goes to her brother, leaving Diana with only a small dowry; he approves of a suitable marriage for her.

• Bruno

  Norbert's dog, given to him by the gamekeeper; Norbert becomes very attached to him.

Key passages

• “Why should they waste their pity upon a man who would eventually come into a gigantic fortune, and have the means of gratifying all his desires?”

  People stopped pitying Norbert because they knew he would inherit a huge fortune and be able to fulfill every wish.

  Reflects the theme of wealth and social class.

• “My child! ... you have come back to us once more, and now all you have to do is to fascinate some gentleman who is your equal in position and who has plenty of money. If you fail in that, back you go to the convent.”

  Diana's father tells her that she must charm a wealthy man of suitable rank, or else return to the convent.

  Highlights marriage as a financial transaction and the pressure on women.

• “She felt that he had suffered, and her sympathy for him brought with it the dawn of love, and by the time she had left the chapel she had registered a solemn vow that she would one day be Norbert's wife.”

  Diana sensed Norbert's pain, felt sympathy turning into love, and vowed in the chapel to marry him.

  Shows Diana's emotional and strategic investment in Norbert.