Chapters Seventeen-Twenty Summary

In Chapter Seventeen, on her first night in Duval's house, Duval spends time in Ismae's room to make their story that she is his mistress looks real. The next morning when Ismae goes to find him, Duval is busy at his desk writing a letter. Duval lets Ismae know that he was correct in assuming that the meeting of the Estates was called without the duchess' knowledge. He tells her that while he will be going to have meetings with the duchess, she will be getting fitted for a dress and she should be studying the members of the royal family. He makes her wonder if the people at the convent have really prepared her for her assignment. He uses a chessboard to demonstrate the position in which Anne has been put. He says that in order for them to protect...