Chapter Eight Summary

Oswald Denny goes to the Priory, like Yardley, to see Venetia, but on the pretence of visiting Aubrey. While Yardley sees no romantic threat with Damerel, but only the threat of gossip, Oswald sees a clear romantic rival. Because Oswald would like to be like Damerel, but doesn't meet the mark, he is a serious threat.

Throughout the novel, Oswald talks about the places that he has been and the things that he has seen. Most of this is just talk designed to impress. He also brags about how he could take anyone that offered the slightest insult to Venetia. This is also just talk designed to impress. These things would be much more truth coming from Damerel than from Oswald. Damerel doesn't need to brag about things like this. One can tell simply by looking at him that he is...