Lord Tony’s Wife · Chapter
III: The Fowlers explained
Chauvelin and Martin-Roget plot to trap Yvonne de Kernogan by luring her to the Rat Mort tavern, where a descent by Carrier's Marats will lead to her arrest and deportation.
What happens
Chauvelin and Martin-Roget plot to trap Yvonne de Kernogan by luring her to the Rat Mort tavern, where a descent by Carrier's Marats will lead to her arrest and deportation. Martin-Roget confronts Yvonne, who defiantly refuses his marriage proposal, asserting her family's honor. Chauvelin advises patience and a subtler approach, ultimately leading Martin-Roget to yield to his plan.
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 Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this chapter, Yvonne reaches her emotional and psychological nadir as her hope—the last force sustaining he…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Revenge and Betrayal
Martin-Roget and Louise Adet seek revenge against the Kernogans for past wrongs, plotting to trap Yvonne through deception and betrayal.
- Class Conflict and Revolution
The conflict between the aristocratic Kernogans and the revolutionary Adet family highlights the class struggle, with Martin-Roget using his new power to oppress his former masters.
- Freedom and Oppression
Yvonne's defiance against forced marriage and arrest represents a struggle for personal freedom against the oppressive revolutionary regime.
Characters to notice
- Yvonne de Kernogan
Defiantly refuses Martin-Roget's marriage proposal, asserting her family's honor and willingness to die rather than submit.
- Martin-Roget
Confronts Yvonne, threatening her with arrest and deportation; ultimately yields to Chauvelin's plan to trap her at the Rat Mort.
- Citizen Chauvelin
Advises patience and a subtle approach to lure Yvonne to the Rat Mort; warns of English adventurers and overrules Martin-Roget's violent impulses.
- Louise Adet
Silent and sullen, she shares the family's hatred of the Kernogans and listens to the plot, showing her own desire for revenge.
- Jean Baptiste Carrier
Referenced as the proconsul who devised the scheme to arrest inhabitants of the Rat Mort and deport them; his Marats will be involved.
Key passages
“The Kernogans among that herd! What sayest thou to that, little sister? Thy father, thy lover, hung as thieves! M. le Duc and Mademoiselle branded as convicts!”
Martin-Roget gloats to Louise about the plan to have the Kernogans arrested and deported as criminals.
Reveals the depth of Martin-Roget's vengeful satisfaction at the prospect of humiliating the Kernogans.
“My father will die as he has lived, a brave and honourable gentleman. The brand of a malefactor cannot cling to his name.”
Yvonne asserts that her father's honor is untouchable, even in death.
Highlights Yvonne's unwavering pride and defiance in the face of threats.
