# Love and Deception in The Perfume of Eros

> Theme guide for The Perfume of Eros by Edgar Saltus.

Romantic relationships are built on lies and false promises, particularly Loftus's manipulation of Marie, who believes he will marry her while he only intends to keep her as a mistress.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Facts in the Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/the-facts-in-the-case): Loftus's deception of Marie and the complicated love triangle.
- [I: A Man of Fashion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/i-a-man-of-fashion): Loftus's hidden interest in Marie Durand while flirting with Fanny Price suggests deception in romantic pursuits.
- [II: The Pocket Venus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/ii-the-pocket-venus): Fanny's flirtatious banter with Loftus and her comments about her debts suggest a world of social games and hidden motives.
- [The Ex-First Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/iii-the-ex-first-lady): Loftus's entire pursuit of Marie is built on deception, from learning her name incorrectly to paying Mme. Machin for an introduction. His declaration of love is a calculated move, not a genuine emotion.
- [Enchantment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/iv-enchantment): Loftus's declarations of love are intertwined with manipulation, as he uses romantic language and promises to persuade Marie, while his true intentions remain ambiguous.
- [V: Marie Changes Her Name](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/v-marie-changes-her-name): Loftus deceives Marie about his intentions, while she believes their relationship will be legitimized, highlighting the theme of deception in love.
- [Sweet-and-Twenty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/vii-sweet-and-twenty): Annandale's lingering love for Sylvia and the self-deception in thinking he can dictate to Fate.
- [Two in a Turret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/viii-two-in-a-turret): Annandale's proposal to Fanny is partly a rebound from Sylvia, while Fanny hides her true feelings for Loftus.
- [IX: Fanny Changes Her Clothes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/ix-fanny-changes-her-clothes): Fanny's acceptance of Annandale's proposal is not born of love but of resignation, as she still dreams of Loftus, showing the deceptive nature of her engagement.
- [X: A Victim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/x-a-victim): Sylvia's love for Annandale is complicated by his deception and her own self-deception about his character.
- [I: Disenchantment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/i-disenchantment): Marie's love for Loftus is built on his lies about marriage, leading to her deep disillusionment. The chapter explores how deception can poison even the most devoted love.
- [II: The Mote in the Eye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/ii-the-mote-in-the-eye): Fanny's marriage to Annandale is a deception, as she still loves Loftus and contemplates divorce to be with him.
- [III: The Gates of Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/iii-the-gates-of-life): Marie's love for Loftus is contrasted with his deception. He made promises he never intended to keep, and she tried to deceive herself into believing he would marry her.
- [The Return of the Yellow Fay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/chapters/iv-the-return-of-the-yellow-fay): Fanny and Loftus's conversation reveals a deceptive relationship, with Loftus having been ordered to dismiss his mistress, and Fanny's intention to leave her husband for him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/themes/love_and_deception
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_perfume_of_eros_se/themes