# XIX explained — The Special Correspondent

> Chapter companion for The Special Correspondent by Jules Verne.

## What happens

The chapter details the wedding of Fulk Ephrinell and Horatia Bluett aboard the train, which is interrupted by a sudden stop. Claudius Bombarnac observes the ceremony, the passengers, and the mysterious behavior of Faruskiar and Ghangir, while also recalling a dream about an attack by bandit chief Ki-Tsang.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage and Partnership

The central event of the chapter is the wedding of Fulk Ephrinell and Horatia Bluett, treated as a commercial arrangement.

### Danger and Heroism

The wedding is interrupted by a sudden train stop, recalling Claudius's dream of an attack by bandit Ki-Tsang.

### Travel and Adventure

The journey through the Gobi Desert and the diverse passengers highlight the adventurous nature of the trip.

## Character check-ins

### Claudius Bombarnac

Narrator and observer of the wedding ceremony and events.

### Fulk Ephrinell

Groom, appears with a pencil behind his ear, ready for the wedding.

### Miss Horatia Bluett

Bride, described as thin and plain, wearing a dust cloak and carrying keys.

### Reverend Nathaniel Morse

Officiates the wedding ceremony.

### Major Noltitz

Witness at the wedding, serious demeanor, alerts passengers after the train stops.

### Monsieur Caterna

Actor and witness, dressed flamboyantly, plays accordion during the ceremony.

## Key lines

> Mr. Fulk Ephrinell, of the firm of Messrs. Strong, Bulbul & Co. , of New York City, has the honor to invite you to his wedding with Miss Horatia Bluett, of the firm of Messrs. Holmes-Holme, London, which will take place in the dining car on this the 22nd of May, at nine o’clock precisely.

Fulk Ephrinell and Horatia Bluett invite passengers to their wedding in the dining car at 9 AM on May 22.

_The wedding notice is posted in the train cars._

> If I do not make half a dozen pars out of all this I am no newspaper man!

Claudius plans to write several paragraphs about the wedding for his newspaper.

_Claudius sees journalistic opportunity in the event._

> The two souls that blend together⁠—Flesh of my flesh⁠—Increase and multiply⁠—

The clergyman begins the wedding ceremony with traditional phrases.

_Reverend Morse starts his speech before the interruption._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters/xix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_special_correspondent_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_special_correspondent_se/chapters