Poetry · Chapter
LXVIII explained
Elfinan leaps gracefully to the window-sill, carrying the magic book under one arm.
What happens
Elfinan leaps gracefully to the window-sill, carrying the magic book under one arm. He bows to Bellanaine, delivers a dramatic farewell, then bursts into laughter and snaps his fingers.
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
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the King, overwhelmed by his own confession, reveals Bertha’s…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingCharacters to notice
- Elfinan
Elfinan vaults to the window-sill, carrying the magic book, and bids a mocking farewell to Bellanaine.
- Bellanaine
Bellanaine is the recipient of Elfinan's dramatic and ironic farewell.
Key passages
“Then Elfinan swift vaulted from the floor, And lighted graceful on the window-sill; Under one arm the magic book he bore, The other he could wave about at will; Pale was his face, he still look’d very ill: He bow’d at Bellanaine, and said—“Poor Bell! Farewell! farewell! and if for ever! still For ever fare thee well!”—and then he fell A laughing!—snapp’d his fingers!—shame it is to tell!”
Elfinan quickly jumps from the floor and lands gracefully on the windowsill, holding the magic book under one arm while waving the other freely. His face is pale and he looks unwell. He bows to Bellanaine and says a dramatic farewell, then suddenly bursts into laughter, snaps his fingers, and behaves shamefully.
Elfinan's theatrical exit and mocking laughter contrast with his earlier solemnity.
