XVII: Mistress Cleone at Her Wits’ End explained

What happens

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Authenticity

  Cleone's predicament stems from her inability to act authentically—she accepts James's proposal without meaning it and kisses Brenderby out of desperation, all while truly loving Philip.

• Appearance vs. Reality

  Cleone appears to be a flighty flirt, but her actions are driven by hidden love and fear; the scandal threatens to define her publicly despite her true feelings.

• Social Class and Manners

  The fear of scandal and the need to maintain reputation drive the characters' actions, as Sir Maurice and Lady Malmerstoke work to avoid public disgrace.

Characters to notice

• Philip Jettan

  Bursts into breakfast frantic over Cleone's double betrothal; later learns the full story from his father and resolves to intervene.

• Sir Maurice Jettan

  Visits Lady Malmerstoke's boudoir, learns Cleone's predicament, and decides to enlist Philip as the 'third gentleman' to resolve the scandal.

• Cleone Charteris

  Confesses to Sir Maurice that she is betrothed to both Brenderby and Winton after a series of foolish actions at the ball; is distraught and begs not to involve Philip.

• Lady Malmerstoke

  Amused by the scandal, she hosts the conversation in her boudoir and comments wryly on Cleone's predicament.

• Sir Deryk Brenderby

  Claimed Cleone as his betrothed after kissing her; refuses to release her from her word.

• James Winton

  Proposed to Cleone and insists she is promised to him, contributing to the double betrothal.

Key passages

• “I asked her to marry me at the ball last night. She refused; I won't tell you her exact words. Half an hour later I found her kissing ce scélérat Brenderby in a secluded corner!”

  Philip tells his father and uncle that Cleone rejected his marriage proposal at the ball, only for him to later discover her kissing Brenderby in private.

  Philip's account of the ball sets the stage for the chapter's central conflict.

• “I said yes because he worried so! And—and he knew I didn't mean it, for he walked away.”

  Cleone admits she accepted James's proposal only to stop his pestering, and he realized she was insincere.

  Cleone's confession reveals the accidental nature of her first betrothal.

• “I lost my rose to him, and when he—was taking it, he broke the string of my locket, and he wouldn't give it me, but said he must see what was inside, and I couldn't let him!”

  Cleone explains that during a dice game with Brenderby, he broke her locket's string and demanded to see its contents, which she desperately wanted to hide.

  The locket's secret is a key plot point, though its contents remain undisclosed.

• “I am betrothed to two gentlemen, and—oh, what shall I do?”

  Cleone laments her impossible situation of being engaged to both Brenderby and Winton simultaneously.

  This line encapsulates Cleone's distress and the chapter's central dilemma.

• “It seems, my dear, that the situation calls for a third gentleman.”

  Sir Maurice suggests that a third man—implied to be Philip—must intervene to resolve Cleone's double betrothal.

  Sir Maurice's plan sets up the resolution for the chapter.