# XI explained — The Truth About Tristrem Varick

> Chapter companion for The Truth About Tristrem Varick by Edgar Saltus.

## What happens

Tristrem travels to Narragansett to find the Raritans' villa empty and for rent. He learns from the agent and from Alphabet Jones that Mrs. Raritan and Viola have sailed for Europe. After a frustrating search for their address, he arranges for it to be cabled to him, dines with his grandfather, and prepares to follow them abroad.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Idealism

Tristrem's determination to find Viola and his self-reproach for past inaction highlight his idealistic pursuit of love.

### Fate and Individuality

Tristrem reflects on his own weakness and resolves to take control of his destiny, contrasting his earlier passivity.

## Character check-ins

### Tristrem Varick

Travels to Narragansett, discovers the Raritans have left, and resolves to follow Viola to Europe.

### Alphabet Jones

Meets Tristrem at the Casino, informs him that the Raritans sailed for Europe the previous day.

### Mr. Dirck Van Norden

Dines with Tristrem and gives him a diamond brooch to deliver to Viola with his blessing.

### Viola Raritan

Has left Narragansett with her mother to complete her musical education abroad; Tristrem resolves to follow her.

### Meggs

Lawyer holding power of attorney for Mrs. Raritan's estate; Tristrem leaves a request for the address with his clerk.

## Key lines

> The breeze promised victory. He had been idle and dilatory, he told himself; but he was older, the present was his, and he felt the strength to make it wholly to his use.

The wind seemed to signal success. He admitted he had been lazy and slow, but now he felt mature and capable of seizing the moment.

_Tristrem's renewed resolve as he prepares to see Viola._

> It was his own inaction that was the cause of it all. If he had but bestirred himself sooner! Instead of struggling against that which every throb of his heart convinced him was false, he had dawdled with the impossible and toyed with apostils of grief.

He blamed his own passivity for the situation. He should have acted earlier instead of wasting time on doubts and sorrow.

_Tristrem's self-criticism after learning Viola has left._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters/xi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_truth_about_tristrem_varick_se/chapters