The Slaves of Paris · Chapter
The Count de Puymandour explained
Norbert and Diana continue their secret romance, meeting in the woods and exchanging letters via Françoise.
What happens
Norbert and Diana continue their secret romance, meeting in the woods and exchanging letters via Françoise. Daumon offers to help them but Diana distrusts him. As winter forces the lovers to adapt, Norbert visits Diana at her townhouse through a garden door. Montlouis confides in Norbert about his own love. The Duke abruptly announces he has chosen a wife for Norbert, to be married in two months.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Secrecy
Norbert and Diana's entire relationship is built on secrecy, using letters, hidden doors, and covert meetings to avoid detection by their families.
Power and Manipulation
Daumon attempts to manipulate the lovers by offering help while secretly pursuing his own interests, and Diana's confrontation reveals his exploitative nature.
Marriage as Transaction
The Duke's announcement that he has chosen a wife for Norbert underscores the view of marriage as a financial and social arrangement rather than a romantic union.
Characters to notice
- Louis Norbert de Champdoce
Continues his secret romance with Diana, meeting her in the woods and visiting her at the garden door in Poitiers. His passion has diminished his bashfulness.
- Diana de Laurebourg
Meets Norbert secretly, distrusts Daumon, and confronts him about Widow Rouleau's summons. She is determined to pursue her love despite risks.
- Daumon
Offers to help Norbert and Diana but is distrusted by Diana. He becomes her bitter enemy after she refuses his seat and confronts him about Widow Rouleau.
- Montlouis
Confides in Norbert about his love for a young girl in Poitiers and accompanies Norbert to the garden door. He is soon to join the Count de Mussidan.
- Duke de Champdoce
Abruptly informs Norbert that he has found a wife for him and that the marriage will take place in two months.
- Françoise
The widow's daughter who carries letters between Norbert and Diana.
Key passages
“I put every faith in you, and so does Mademoiselle de Laurebourg. You know our exact situation. What do you advise?”
Norbert tells Daumon that he and Diana trust him and asks for his advice on their predicament.
Norbert naively places his trust in Daumon, despite Diana's reservations.
“Wait and hope. The slightest step taken before you are of age will be fatal to your prospects, but the day you are twenty-one I will undertake to show you several methods of bringing the Duke on his knees.”
Daumon advises patience and promises to help Norbert defy his father once he comes of age.
Daumon's advice is vague but confident, playing on Norbert's hopes.
“Marquis, I have found a wife for you, and in two months you will marry her.”
The Duke abruptly informs Norbert that he has arranged a marriage for him, to take place in two months.
The Duke's announcement shatters Norbert's romantic plans and underscores the theme of marriage as a transaction.