Aurora Floyd · Chapter
At the Golden Lion explained
The day after the murder, Aurora lies in a stupor while John Mellish roams the estate, visited by neighbors who speculate about the crime.
What happens
The day after the murder, Aurora lies in a stupor while John Mellish roams the estate, visited by neighbors who speculate about the crime. The inquest is held at the Golden Lion; witnesses include Stephen Hargraves, Jarvis, William Dork, and John Mellish. The coroner questions whether Conyers was married and whether any servant had a motive, but John insists it was an accident by a poacher. John plans to take Aurora to the south of France after the inquest.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Scandal
The murder and inquest expose the hidden tensions surrounding Aurora's secret, which John tries to rationalize by blaming Archibald Floyd's commercial dealings.
Jealousy and Betrayal
John's instinctive terror of Conyers and his morbid desire to view the corpse hint at jealousy and the betrayal of trust that Conyers represented.
Redemption and Forgiveness
John's determination to take Aurora away to start afresh and his refusal to think ill of her despite damning evidence reflect a desire for redemption and forgiveness.
Characters to notice
- John Mellish
Weary and sick at heart, he longs for the inquest to end so he can take Aurora away. He visits the corpse, muses on the mystery, and testifies at the inquest, insisting the death was an accident.
- Aurora Floyd
Lies in a dull stupor on her sofa, unable to lift her head, visited by John who promises to take her to the south of France.
- James Conyers
The deceased; his corpse is described as beautiful in death, with a marble face. John looks upon him and feels pity.
- Stephen Hargraves
The 'Softy' is found leaning on the gate of the cottage; he is to be a witness at the inquest.
- William Dork
The constable who investigates the murder, travels to Doncaster, interviews the young driver, and later testifies at the inquest.
- Archibald Floyd
Mentioned in John's thoughts as possibly having a secret that Conyers discovered, though John prefers to think the secret was commercial rather than involving Aurora.
Key passages
“Yes, my darling, I shall take you away to the south of France directly this business is settled. You shall leave the scene of all past associations, all bygone annoyances. We will begin the world afresh.”
John promises Aurora that once the inquest is over, he will take her to the south of France to escape the painful memories and start a new life.
John's plan to remove Aurora from the scene of the murder and her past troubles.
“God grant that we may be able to do so, Aurora answered gravely.”
Aurora responds solemnly, hoping that they can indeed start anew.
Aurora's cautious hope for a fresh start.
“Ah, how weak and imperfect a passion is this boundless love! How ready to sacrifice others for that one loved object, which must be kept spotless in our imaginations, though a hecatomb of her fellow-creatures are to be blackened and befouled for her justification!”
The narrator reflects that John's intense love for Aurora makes him willing to blame others, even her father, to preserve her purity in his mind.
Narrator's commentary on John's blind devotion and willingness to sacrifice others' reputations.
“John Mellish would not think ill of his wife. He resolutely shut his eyes to all damning evidence. He clung with a desperate tenacity to his belief in her purity, and only clung the more tenaciously as the proofs against her became more numerous.”
John refuses to believe any wrongdoing by Aurora, ignoring evidence and holding onto his faith in her innocence even more strongly as suspicions grow.
John's willful blindness to evidence against Aurora.
“I should imagine that it was fired by a poacher whose eyes deceived him in the shadowy light.”
John suggests at the inquest that the shot was an accident caused by a poacher mistaking Conyers for game in the dark.
John's attempt to explain the murder as an accident.
