# III: The Challenge explained — The Great Roxhythe > Chapter companion for The Great Roxhythe by Georgette Heyer. ## What happens Sir Henry Crewe confronts Lord Roxhythe over his flirtation with Lady Crewe, demanding satisfaction in a duel. Roxhythe refuses repeatedly, citing the damage it would do to Lady Crewe's reputation and dismissing Crewe as a 'babe.' After Crewe strikes him and draws his sword, Roxhythe subdues him physically but still refuses to fight. Later, Roxhythe reassures Lady Frances Montgomery that the affair is over and that he has not dishonored Lady Crewe, while reflecting on his own mistakes and his esteem for Frances and the late Madame. ## Themes in this chapter ### Honor and Reputation Roxhythe refuses to duel to protect Lady Crewe's reputation, while Crewe is obsessed with avenging his honor. The chapter explores the tension between personal honor and public scandal. ### Love and Obsession Crewe's jealous rage and Roxhythe's detached flirtation highlight the destructive potential of obsessive love versus controlled affection. ### Appearance vs. Reality Roxhythe's calm demeanor masks the seriousness of the situation, and the flirtation is revealed to be less than Crewe feared, yet still damaging. ## Character check-ins ### Lord Roxhythe Refuses to duel Sir Henry Crewe despite insults and a physical blow, citing the need to protect Lady Crewe's reputation. Later confides in Lady Frances about his regret and his esteem for her and Madame. ### Sir Henry Crewe Confronts Roxhythe in a jealous rage, demanding a duel. He is repeatedly refused and ultimately subdued, leaving him humiliated and alone. ### Lady Frances Montgomery Confronts Roxhythe about his involvement with Lady Crewe, expresses relief that no serious harm was done, and receives his confession of esteem and affection. ### Lady Crewe Mentioned as the object of Roxhythe's flirtation; her reputation is protected by Roxhythe's refusal to duel. ### Mr. Fletcher Briefly appears at the gathering, introduced by Lady Frances to Mrs. Carthew, and dances with her. ## Key lines > I’ll not have my wife’s name dishonoured by such as you! For nearly three years it has gone on! At first I thought nothing; she had her admirers, but she loved me. And then you gradually stole her from me, until she thinks of naught save when she shall next be with you! Crewe accuses Roxhythe of stealing his wife's affections over three years, claiming she now thinks only of being with Roxhythe. _Crewe's opening accusation sets the stage for the confrontation._ > I do not murder babes. Roxhythe dismisses Crewe as a child, refusing to fight him because it would be like killing an innocent. _Roxhythe's repeated refusal to duel is framed as a matter of principle, not cowardice._ > Two women there are, Fanny, whom I esteem above all others. One is now a memory. ... The other is your sweet self. If ever I love, or have loved a woman, you are she. Roxhythe tells Lady Frances that he esteems only two women: the late Madame and Frances herself, implying she is the only living woman he could love. _Roxhythe's rare moment of vulnerability reveals his deep regard for Frances and his grief for Madame._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters/iii-the-challenge - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_roxhythe_se/chapters