# The Count de Puymandour explained — The Slaves of Paris

> Chapter companion for The Slaves of Paris by Émile Gaboriau.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/vi-the-count-de-puymandour
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters