Catriona · Chapter
XXVIII: In Which I Am Left Alone explained
David returns to his chambers to find James More and Catriona preparing to leave after a disagreement.
What happens
David returns to his chambers to find James More and Catriona preparing to leave after a disagreement. He confronts James More, arranging a stipend for Catriona's welfare in exchange for communication. Later, David takes Catriona for a walk and, at James More's urging, proposes marriage. Catriona refuses, suspecting her father's manipulation. After they depart, David discovers Catriona left behind all his gifts, including a kerchief with a corner cut out, which he interprets as a sign of her conflicted feelings.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it forces David Balfour to confront the emotional and psychologica…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Love and Sacrifice
David's proposal and his willingness to provide for Catriona despite her refusal highlight his love and the sacrifices he is willing to make.
- Deception and Manipulation
James More manipulates David into proposing to Catriona, and Catriona suspects her father's coercion, reflecting the theme of deception.
- Exile and Belonging
David feels abandoned and alone after Catriona and James More leave, emphasizing his sense of exile and longing for connection.
Characters to notice
- David Balfour
David confronts James More, arranges a stipend, and proposes to Catriona, only to be refused. He is left heartbroken and alone.
- Catriona Drummond
Catriona is distant and resentful after a disagreement with her father. She refuses David's proposal, suspecting her father's coercion, and leaves behind all of David's gifts.
- James More Macgregor
James More is visibly upset after a quarrel with Catriona. He accepts David's stipend arrangement and pressures David to propose to Catriona.
Key passages
“I opened the door to Catriona and stopped her on the threshold. 'Your father wishes us to take our walk,' said I.”
David invites Catriona for a walk at her father's request.
This moment sets up the proposal scene.
“She had left behind at her departure all that ever she had of me. It was the blow that I felt sorest, perhaps because it was the last; and I fell upon that pile of clothing and behaved myself more foolish than I care to tell of.”
David discovers Catriona left all his gifts, causing him great emotional distress.
Highlights David's heartbreak and the finality of their separation.
“I observed there was a corner neatly cut from it. It was a kerchief of a very pretty hue, on which I had frequently remarked; and once that she had it on, I remembered telling her (by way of a banter) that she wore my colours.”
David finds a kerchief with a corner cut out, which he recalls telling Catriona she wore his colors.
This detail suggests Catriona's hidden affection and gives David a glimmer of hope.
