XII: “One Born to Love You, Sweet” explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Sacrifice

  Vansittart's proposal and willingness to marry Eve without a dowry, and his desire to include his mother in their lives, demonstrate love and sacrifice.

• Secrecy and Identity

  The mystery surrounding Harold's disappearance and Mr. Sefton's hidden efforts to find him touch on themes of secrecy and hidden identities.

• Exile and Escape

  Vansittart's troubled memories of Venice and his reluctance to return to Italy reflect themes of exile and escape from past traumas.

Characters to notice

• Jack Vansittart

  Proposes to Eve and is accepted; writes to his mother about the engagement; troubled by Eve's wish to visit Italy.

• Eve Marchant

  Accepts Vansittart's proposal; expresses desire to visit Italy; shares her worries about her brother Harold.

• Mr. Sefton

  Revealed to have been helping Eve search for her brother Harold; his efforts have so far been unsuccessful.

• Colonel Marchant

  Receives Vansittart's offer for Eve with politeness but not enthusiasm; had hoped for a richer marriage.

• Maud Hartley

  Mentioned in Vansittart's letter to his mother, as he hopes Eve will be like a second daughter to her.

Key passages

• “He had loved Italy with all his heart; but now the image of Venice burnt and festered in his mind like a plague-spot on the breast of a man in full health.”

  Vansittart once loved Italy, but now the memory of Venice torments him like a disease.

  Highlights Vansittart's internal conflict regarding Italy.

• “His lips met hers, and took his answer there.”

  They kissed, and that kiss was her answer to his proposal.

  The moment of acceptance is conveyed through a kiss rather than words.

• “He was too shrewd a campaigner, however, to refuse the humble sparrow in the hand for the goldfinch in the bush.”

  Colonel Marchant was too practical to reject a sure offer for a speculative one.

  Colonel Marchant's pragmatic view of the marriage proposal.