# The Most Noble the Marquis explained — The Great Roxhythe

> Chapter companion for The Great Roxhythe by Georgette Heyer.

## What happens

In 1676, with Parliament prorogued and Louis XIV's war against Holland ongoing, King Charles II grows frustrated with negotiations for a second treaty with France, conducted through Barillon, the Duchess of Portsmouth, and Lord Danby. He sends Lord Roxhythe to Paris to discover Louis's maximum terms. During Roxhythe's absence, Lady Crewe visits Bevan House, asking Christopher Dart to deliver a message to Roxhythe not to attend Lady Claremont's rout. Upon Roxhythe's return, Sir Henry Crewe, driven by jealousy over his wife Millicent, confronts Roxhythe and shoots him. Roxhythe survives and forces Crewe to withdraw for a year with his wife, swearing there is nothing between him and Millicent.

## Themes in this chapter

### Political Intrigue and Espionage

Roxhythe is sent to France to secretly discover Louis XIV's maximum terms, bypassing official channels like Barillon.

### Love and Obsession

Sir Henry Crewe's obsessive jealousy over his wife's past with Roxhythe drives him to attempt murder.

### Honor and Reputation

Roxhythe's refusal to duel and his insistence on avoiding scandal reflect the importance of reputation and honor in court society.

## Character check-ins

### Lord Roxhythe

Sent to Paris by King Charles to negotiate with Louis XIV; upon return, is shot by Sir Henry Crewe in a jealous rage but survives and dictates terms.

### King Charles II

Dissatisfied with negotiations through Barillon, he sends Roxhythe to France to discover Louis's maximum terms for a second treaty.

### Lady Crewe

Visits Bevan House during Roxhythe's absence, asking Christopher to deliver a message to Roxhythe not to attend Lady Claremont's rout, fearing her husband's jealousy.

### Sir Henry Crewe

Jealous of Roxhythe's past with his wife Millicent, he confronts Roxhythe and shoots him; later forced to withdraw for a year with his wife.

### Christopher Dart

Receives Lady Crewe's message and later witnesses the aftermath of the shooting, assisting in the situation.

### M. Barillon

French ambassador involved in the treaty negotiations that Charles finds unsatisfactory.

### Lord Danby

One of the intermediaries in the treaty negotiations with France.

### La Kéroualle

Duchess of Portsmouth, involved in the negotiations as an intermediary.

## Key lines

> David, it is like squeezing money from a stone.

Charles complains to Roxhythe that getting money from Louis is extremely difficult.

_Charles expresses frustration with the negotiations._

> I want the thing done quickly; I am tired of all this haggling and bargaining.

Charles wants Roxhythe to expedite the negotiations because he is weary of the back-and-forth.

_Charles's impatience with the diplomatic process._

> You have treated me—better than I—deserve, sir.

Crewe admits that Roxhythe has been more merciful than he deserves.

_Crewe's remorse after the shooting._

## Links

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