The Slaves of Paris · Chapter
A Bad Start explained
Diana de Laurebourg, determined to become the Duchess of Champdoce, finally encounters Norbert de Champdoce when he accidentally shoots her in the ankle during a walk.
What happens
Diana de Laurebourg, determined to become the Duchess of Champdoce, finally encounters Norbert de Champdoce when he accidentally shoots her in the ankle during a walk. She feigns injury to prolong their interaction, extracts a promise of secrecy, and leaves confident that she will win him. Norbert, captivated, returns home to find his father's guest has arrived.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Secrecy
Diana conceals her true ambitions and manipulates the accident to her advantage, while Norbert agrees to keep the incident secret from her parents.
Social Class and Inequality
Diana's goal is to rise to the rank of Duchess, and her actions are driven by class ambition.
Power and Manipulation
Diana skillfully manipulates Norbert's emotions and the situation to secure his interest and advance her plan.
Characters to notice
- Diana de Laurebourg
Orchestrates a meeting with Norbert after being accidentally shot, using the incident to advance her plan to become Duchess of Champdoce.
- Louis Norbert de Champdoce
Accidentally shoots Diana and becomes infatuated with her during the encounter.
- Bruno
Norbert's dog, who licks Diana's face after she falls.
- Daumon
Mentioned as the only person who previously addressed Norbert as 'Marquis'.
- La Berven
A poor, dying woman whom Diana claims to visit with soup and wine; her husband is one of the men who entrusted Daumon with savings.
- Duke de Champdoce
Norbert's father, who calls out to him upon his return home.
Key passages
“Diana de Laurebourg was a strange compound; under an appearance of the most artless simplicity she concealed an iron will, and had hidden from every one of her family, and even from her most intimate friends, her firm resolve to become the Duchess of Champdoce.”
Diana de Laurebourg appeared simple and innocent, but she was actually determined and secretive, hiding her ambition to marry into the highest nobility.
Introduces Diana's deceptive nature and her central goal.
“She did not lose her senses, for she heard a cry in response to her own, and the crashing of something forcing its way through the hedge. Then she felt a hot breath upon her face, and then something cold and wet touched her cheek. She opened her eyes languidly, and saw Bruno licking her face and hands.”
Diana remained conscious after being shot, hearing Norbert's cry and the dog Bruno approaching to lick her face.
Shows Diana's composure and the immediate aftermath of the accident.
“But confess, Marquis,' she added, with a coquettish laugh, 'that this is a droll way of making an acquaintance.'”
She laughed flirtatiously and remarked that being shot was an unusual way to meet someone.
Highlights Diana's playful manipulation and Norbert's reaction to being called 'Marquis'.
“I am sure of it now,' said she; 'I shall be the Duchess of Champdoce.'”
Diana confidently concluded that she would succeed in marrying Norbert and becoming a duchess.
Reveals her triumphant certainty after the encounter.
