Chapter 23

Elsewhere in Front-de-Boeuf's castle, De Bracy tries his best to persuade Rowena to marry him. He threatens that if she does not accept him, the lives of Ivanhoe and Cedric will be forfeited. In the conversation, she learns that Ivanhoe is a prisoner in the same castle and breaks down. The bugle call interrupts this scene as well.

Despite De Bracy's threatening attitude, there is still a tiny bit of honor left in him. He would rather Rowena accept him of her own accord than be forced to do so. He realizes she is noble by blood and possesses very high principles. Her character impresses De Bracy so that even he, as selfish and unprincipled as he is, is greatly moved. The sound of the bugle is a reprieve for both Isaac and Rowena. It also comes in time to save Front-de-Boeuf and De Bracy from yielding to their baser natures.

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