Aurora Floyd · Chapter
On the Threshold of Darker Miseries explained
John Mellish finds Aurora asleep and watches over her, reaffirming his trust despite the secrets between them.
What happens
John Mellish finds Aurora asleep and watches over her, reaffirming his trust despite the secrets between them. They discuss sending away James Conyers, and Aurora promises to handle it. Later, the Mellishes host a dinner with the Lofthouses and Colonel Maddison. After dinner, Aurora slips away from the drawing room, veils herself, and walks toward the southern wood, hinting at a secret purpose.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Scandal
Aurora's hidden past and the secret she shares with Conyers create tension between her and John, who struggles to trust her fully.
Love vs. Duty
John's love for Aurora compels him to trust her despite his doubts, while Aurora feels duty-bound to protect him from the truth.
Wealth and Power
Aurora's wealth and social standing are contrasted with Mrs. Lofthouse's pedigree, highlighting class tensions.
Characters to notice
- John Mellish
Finds Aurora asleep, watches over her, and reaffirms his trust despite the secrets. He urges her to dismiss Conyers.
- Aurora Floyd
Awakens from a heavy sleep, promises to send Conyers away, and later dresses elaborately for dinner. After dinner, she secretly leaves the drawing room and walks toward the wood.
- Mrs. Walter Powell
Observes the Mellishes' apparent harmony from the corridor and later watches Aurora from the drawing room as she slips away.
- Margaret Lofthouse
Dines at Mellish Park, inwardly resenting Aurora's wealth but outwardly affectionate. She plays the piano after dinner.
- Colonel Maddison
Dines at Mellish Park, praises the cook, and is the father of Mrs. Lofthouse.
- Mr. Lofthouse
Discusses plans for a new schoolhouse with Aurora during dinner.
Key passages
“He slept and snored, this horrible man, in the hour of his trouble, and behaved himself altogether in a manner most unbecoming in a hero. But then he is not a hero.”
John fell asleep and snored during his distress, acting in a way that would be improper for a romantic hero, but he is not one.
The narrator comments on John's unheroic, ordinary nature.
“Be happy, Aurora,' he said huskily, 'be happy, and—and send that man away.'”
John asked Aurora to be happy and to dismiss Conyers.
John's plea links Aurora's happiness to Conyers's departure.
“She looked like Hecate, as she stood on the threshold of the French window lingering for a moment with a deep-laid purpose in her heart, and a resolute light in her eyes.”
Aurora appeared like the goddess Hecate, pausing at the French window with a determined plan.
The simile foreshadows Aurora's secretive and possibly ominous actions.