Chapters 11, 12, and 13 Summary

Hornblower is appointed mayor of Le Havre and the city takes on the character of an occupied port. Endless administrative trivia consumes Hornblower's time. England sends only minor support to the revolt because her main effort focuses on Wellington's advances in Spain and the naval blockade of France. Thus, Hornblower spends several weeks becoming irritated at various trivial tasks and the minutia of administering a port city during a time of war. Hornblower's situation then becomes more complicated when England sends a French royal family member to officially take the situation in hand. The former-fugitive Duke d'Angoulême arrives from England. Hornblower finds him irritating and concerned more with the propriety of his station than the success of the revolution. Nevertheless, a variety of official functions are arranged to properly welcome the Duke in regal style. The Duke is the eldest...