# XVI explained — The Square Emerald

> Chapter companion for The Square Emerald by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

Greta Gurden, recovering from her leg wound, prepares a meager meal alone in her flat. She reflects on her precarious financial situation and her role as a sycophantic journalist for the Mayfair Gossip. Princess Anita Bellini arrives and insists Greta move to May Towers for an extended stay, dismissing her medical concerns. Greta reluctantly agrees but secretly contacts Dr. Elford Wesley, a former doctor of the Dawlish family, which enrages Anita.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Blackmail

Greta's role in forwarding compromising letters to Anita for potential blackmail is detailed, and she secretly contacts Dr. Wesley against Anita's wishes.

### Poverty and Exploitation

Greta lives frugally despite her journalistic talents, dependent on Anita's charity. Anita exploits Greta's financial desperation to force her compliance.

### Class and Wealth

Greta's dual life—economical at home but lavish when others pay—highlights class pretensions. Anita's wealth and power dominate the interaction.

## Character check-ins

### Greta Gurden

Alone in her flat, she eats sausages and reflects on her journalism work for Mayfair Gossip. She is coerced by Anita to move to May Towers but secretly summons Dr. Elford Wesley.

### Princess Anita Bellini

Visits Greta and insists she come to May Towers for a month or six weeks. She is furious when she learns Greta has sent for Dr. Elford Wesley.

### Dr. Elford Wesley

Mentioned as the doctor Greta telephones; he was formerly the Dawlish family doctor.

### Mrs. Hobbs

Greta's servant who has gone home for the evening.

### Peter Dawlish

Mentioned as the recipient of an eight-year-old sheet of paper Greta sent out of malice.

## Key lines

> She could write fairly well, had a mordant wit of her own, and in happier circumstances might have become a great journalist. Instead of which she had developed insensibly into a cringing sycophant, dependent upon a wage that was paid in all the circumstances of charity.

Greta had talent as a writer but had become a fawning toady, reliant on a salary given almost as alms.

_Highlights Greta's wasted potential and her exploitative relationship with Anita._

> “You brainless fool!” she hissed. “Why did you send for him?”

Anita angrily called Greta an idiot for summoning Dr. Wesley.

_Shows Anita's fury and suggests Dr. Wesley's involvement is dangerous to her plans._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_square_emerald_se/chapters/xvi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_square_emerald_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_square_emerald_se/chapters