Chapter Six, The Festivities: Pages 213-232 Summary

Fifty days before the wedding Buttercup tells Humperdinck that if she must marry him, she will be dead by morning since she realizes she can only love Westley. The Prince offers to send his four fastest ships in search of Westley's ship. Each ship will carry a copy of a letter written by Buttercup explaining her feelings for Westley. If Westley still loves her, then Buttercup is free to marry him and Humperdinck will try to content himself with a different bride. If Westley does not come for Buttercup, she will marry Humperdinck as planned. After Buttercup leaves his chamber, Humperdinck contemplates how well things are working out. He had originally hired the Sicilian to kidnap and murder Buttercup but the Man in Black spoiled those plans. Now the people so love Buttercup...