# A Scheme of Vengeance explained — The Slaves of Paris

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

## What happens

Norbert and Marie's marriage is cold and distant. In Paris, the Duchess feels isolated and miserable while Norbert indulges in a reckless, debauched lifestyle. He secretly meets Diana de Laurebourg, now the Countess de Mussidan, in the Bois de Boulogne. Diana feigns reluctance but manipulates Norbert, ultimately proposing to become friends with his wife as a cover for their continued meetings, revealing her plot for revenge.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage as Transaction

Norbert and Marie's marriage is devoid of love, described as an icy wall, highlighting the transactional nature of aristocratic unions.

### Deception and Secrecy

Diana and Norbert's clandestine meetings and Diana's plan to befriend Marie as a cover for their affair exemplify pervasive deceit.

### Power and Manipulation

Diana skillfully manipulates Norbert's emotions, playing on his guilt and passion to further her scheme of revenge.

## Character check-ins

### Louis Norbert de Champdoce

Now the Duke de Champdoce, living a dissolute life in Paris, secretly meeting Diana de Mussidan.

### Diana de Laurebourg

Now the Countess de Mussidan, she manipulates Norbert and proposes a scheme to become his wife's friend to continue their affair.

### Marie de Puymandour

The Duchess de Champdoce, isolated and unhappy in Paris, forbidden from seeing old friends.

### Jean Lamou

The trusty old servant who helps Norbert set up his Paris household.

### Count Octave de Mussidan

Diana's husband, mentioned as jealous and suspicious of Norbert.

### George de Croisenois

Marie's former love, whom she thinks of wistfully.

### Duke de Champdoce

Deceased; his parsimony and extravagance are recalled in the description of the Paris house.

### Count de Puymandour

Approves Norbert's move to Paris and moves into Champdoce himself.

## Key lines

> The marriage between Norbert and Mademoiselle de Puymandour was entirely deficient in that brief, ephemeral light that shines over the honeymoon.

Norbert and Marie's marriage lacked any honeymoon period or warmth.

_Describes the coldness of their union from the start._

> She knew each chord that vibrated in his heart, and could play on it at will.

Diana understood Norbert's emotions perfectly and could manipulate him effortlessly.

_Highlights Diana's manipulative power over Norbert._

> Her idea was to become the friend of the Duchess of Champdoce.

Diana planned to befriend Norbert's wife as a cover for their affair.

_Reveals Diana's scheme to continue the relationship secretly._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters/xiii-a-scheme-of-vengeance
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_slaves_of_paris_se/chapters