# XVI: To Live Forgotten and Love Forlorn explained — The Venetians

> Chapter companion for The Venetians by M. E. Braddon.

## What happens

Vansittart resolves to marry Eve despite the dark secret of her brother's death, deciding to conceal the truth. He visits Sefton to investigate the evidence linking Harold to Fiordelisa's lover, and later meets with Lisa, who professes her love and despair. He plans to secure her future with an annuity and sever ties, while continuing his engagement to Eve.

## Themes in this chapter

### Guilt and Redemption

Vansittart grapples with his guilt over killing Harold, seeking to atone by providing for Lisa while concealing his crime from Eve.

### Secrecy and Identity

Vansittart maintains his incognito with Lisa, planning to disappear from her life while keeping the truth from Eve.

### Love and Sacrifice

Lisa's passionate love and willingness to sacrifice herself contrast with Vansittart's pragmatic decision to marry Eve.

## Character check-ins

### Jack Vansittart

Determined to marry Eve despite the secret, he investigates the truth and plans to provide for Lisa while distancing himself.

### Lisa Vivanti

Desperately in love with Vansittart, she pleads with him not to abandon her, even attempting suicide in her despair.

### Eve Marchant

Unaware of the truth, she loves Vansittart deeply and cherishes her brother Harold's memory.

### Mr. Sefton

Vansittart visits him to examine the evidence about Harold's identity, seeking to confirm his suspicions.

### Signor Zinco

Lisa's music teacher, who praises her talent and predicts her success on the English stage.

## Key lines

> He looked the situation full in the face. He told himself that it was for Eve’s welfare as well as for his own that he should keep from her the knowledge of his wrongdoing.

Vansittart convinced himself that hiding the truth from Eve was for her benefit as well as his, rationalizing his decision to conceal his crime.

_Highlights his internal justification for secrecy._

> “I remember nothing when I am with you— gnente, gnente !” she cried passionately. “Nothing except that I love you—love you with all my heart and soul.”

Lisa insists that being with Vansittart erases all painful memories, leaving only her overwhelming love for him.

_Shows Lisa's intense emotional dependence._

> “There is nothing further from my thoughts than to forsake you; but if you make scenes of this kind I can never trust myself to come here again,” he answered sternly.

Vansittart warns Lisa that her emotional outbursts could drive him away, though he claims he doesn't intend to abandon her.

_Reveals his discomfort with her displays of passion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters/xvi-to-live-forgotten-and-love-forlorn
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_venetians_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_venetians_se/chapters