# XXVIII explained — The Tour

> Chapter companion for The Tour by Louis Couperus.

## What happens

Lucius, now penniless due to Tiberius's confiscation of his possessions, faces Caleb's demand for payment of the Ethiopian hunt expenses. Caleb proposes taking Cora as payment, but Lucius refuses, choosing to keep her as his only treasure. Instead, Lucius decides to sell the quadrireme and all his belongings. Caleb suggests a scheme where Lucius signs a document transferring ownership of the ship to Caleb, who will then sell it and pay Lucius honestly. Caleb swears a solemn oath to do so, and Lucius agrees.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wealth and Loss

Lucius's sudden impoverishment due to Tiberius's confiscation drives the chapter's conflict, as he must sell his ship and belongings to pay Caleb.

### Deception and Survival

Caleb's scheme to transfer the quadrireme's ownership to himself, though presented as a solution, involves a legal fiction to avoid seizure, highlighting survival through deception.

## Character check-ins

### Publius Lucius Sabinus

Lucius is now impoverished after Tiberius confiscated his possessions. He refuses to give up Cora and agrees to Caleb's plan to transfer the quadrireme's ownership to Caleb for sale.

### Caleb

Caleb presents his lengthy bill for the Ethiopian hunt, initially proposes taking Cora as payment, then suggests a scheme to sell the quadrireme. He swears a solemn oath to handle the sale honestly.

### Cora

Cora is mentioned as Lucius's beloved treasure whom he refuses to give up, despite Caleb's offer to cancel the debt in exchange for her.

### Tarrar

Tarrar sobs in the corner, asking Lucius to keep him as a little slave, and Lucius reassures him he will.

### Thrasyllus

Thrasyllus is called in with the stewards to examine Caleb's bill.

### Vettius

Vettius and Rufus think Caleb's plan is risky.

## Key lines

> I am penniless, Caleb. The Emperor Tiberius has confiscated all my possessions; and even my title to the quadrireme is questionable.

Lucius informs Caleb that he has lost all his wealth due to Tiberius's seizure, and even his ownership of the ship is uncertain.

_Lucius reveals his financial ruin, setting the stage for the negotiation._

> My lord, if you will make over Cora to me⁠ ⁠… I will write off all the expenses of the Ethiopian hunt.

Caleb proposes that Lucius give him Cora in exchange for canceling the debt from the hunt.

_Caleb's attempt to acquire Cora as payment is rejected by Lucius._

> I swear by the gods of Sabaea and of Egypt, by the eyes of Cora, whom I love, by the friendship which I, my lord, your guide and companion in the chase, venture to cherish for you, I swear, my lord, that I will myself endeavour to dispose of the quadrireme to a noble lord and pay you honestly, to the last penny, after deducting my expenses!

Caleb swears a solemn oath to sell the quadrireme on Lucius's behalf and pay him the proceeds honestly.

_Caleb's dramatic oath underscores the gravity of the transaction and his claimed loyalty._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xxviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tour_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tour_se/chapters