The Square Emerald · Chapter
XXI explained
Jane Raytham receives a late-night visit from Mrs.
What happens
Jane Raytham receives a late-night visit from Mrs. Dawlish, who reveals that she is actually Martha Druze and that Jane's child is a girl, not a boy. Mrs. Dawlish offers to give Jane the child and make Peter an allowance if he stops his lawyers from investigating the will. Peter then arrives with the child, Elizabeth, and introduces her to Jane as her mother.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Betrayal
Mrs. Dawlish's revelation of her true identity and her manipulation of Jane and Peter highlight themes of familial deceit and betrayal.
Secrecy and Blackmail
Mrs. Dawlish uses the secret of Jane's child and her own hidden identity to negotiate with Jane and pressure Peter.
Characters to notice
- Jane Raytham
Jane is visited by Mrs. Dawlish and learns the truth about her child being a girl and Mrs. Dawlish's true identity. She is overwhelmed with emotion when Peter brings Elizabeth to her.
- Margaret Dawlish
Mrs. Dawlish reveals herself to be Martha Druze, Jane's former nurse, and confesses to marrying old Donald Dawlish. She offers to give Jane her child in exchange for Peter stopping his legal inquiries.
- Peter Dawlish
Peter arrives at Jane's house with a little girl, Elizabeth, and introduces her to Jane as her mother.
- Elizabeth Dawlish
Elizabeth is the child of Jane and Peter, brought by Peter to meet Jane for the first time.
Key passages
“I’m a bigamist—don’t interrupt me, please—I’m a bigamist, and my husband must know.”
Jane confesses to being a bigamist and insists that her husband must be told.
Jane reveals her legal and moral predicament, underscoring her desperation and the stakes of the situation.
“This is Elizabeth,” said Peter gently. “Elizabeth”—he stooped and looked into the child’s face—“Elizabeth, this is your mother!””
Peter introduces the little girl Elizabeth to Jane, telling her that Jane is her mother.
The emotional climax of the chapter, reuniting Jane with her daughter.