# Blue-Beard's Chamber explained — The Sword of Damocles

> Chapter companion for The Sword of Damocles by Anna Katharine Green.

## What happens

Clarence Ensign, having been refused by Paula, calls upon her to bid farewell. Paula explains that she has only recently discovered her true feelings and that she must follow a different path. After Ensign leaves, Paula waits anxiously for Mr. Sylvester, who has sent a note but is not coming home. At seven o'clock, she goes upstairs to his private room, a plain and desolate chamber. She opens his desk and finds a sealed letter addressed to her, which she begins to read.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrets and Past Sins

The chapter centers on the mystery of Mr. Sylvester's private room, which Paula is about to uncover. The room itself is a symbol of his hidden griefs and past, and the letter she finds promises to reveal his secret history.

### Love and Sacrifice

Paula tells Ensign that true joy lies in seeing the one you love happy, even at the cost of her own. Ensign also demonstrates sacrifice by manfully subduing his jealousy and wishing her well.

### Appearance vs. Reality

The stark contrast between the plain, desolate room and the luxurious rest of the house highlights the difference between Sylvester's public life and his private inner world.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Ensign

Calls on Paula to accept her refusal, but seeks to retain her friendship. He shows generosity and true affection in his farewell.

### Paula

Heavy-hearted and anxious, she awaits Mr. Sylvester. She reveals to Ensign that she has chosen a different path and later ventures into Sylvester's private room, where she finds a letter for her.

### Mr. Sylvester

Absent from the chapter, but his note and the mystery of his private room dominate Paula's thoughts. His letter to Paula is discovered.

### Aunt Belinda

Paula asks her to watch for her when she goes upstairs, fearing she will need care upon her return.

## Key lines

> Present fears Are less than horrible imaginings.

The fears we face now are not as bad as the terrifying things we imagine might happen.

_The chapter's epigraph sets the tone for Paula's dread as she anticipates what she might find in Mr. Sylvester's room._

> A woman whose hand warms towards the other sex in ready friendship, is the last to succumb to the entreaties of love.

A woman who easily offers friendship to men is often the most difficult to win in love.

_The narrator explains why Ensign's suit was unlikely to succeed with Paula._

> Joy is in seeing the one you love happy; earth holds none that is sweeter or higher.

The greatest happiness is found in the happiness of the person you love.

_Paula expresses her selfless love for Mr. Sylvester to Ensign._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters/xxxviii-blue-beard-s-chamber
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_sword_of_damocles_se/chapters