# XVII: Mistress Cleone at Her Wits’ End explained — The Transformation of Philip Jettan > Chapter companion for The Transformation of Philip Jettan by Georgette Heyer. ## What happens Philip bursts into Sir Maurice and Tom's breakfast, frantic over Cleone's betrothal to both Sir Deryk Brenderby and James Winton. Sir Maurice visits Lady Malmerstoke's boudoir, where Cleone confesses her predicament: she accepted James's proposal without meaning it, then kissed Brenderby after losing a locket to him at dice, leading both men to claim her. Sir Maurice decides to enlist Philip as a 'third gentleman' to resolve the scandal, despite Cleone's desperate pleas not to involve him. He returns home and reveals the full story to Philip, who is overjoyed at the turn of events and resolves to win Cleone. ## 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. ## Character check-ins ### 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 lines > 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._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/chapters/xvii-mistress-cleone-at-her-wits-end - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/chapters