# Letter II explained — Basil

> Chapter companion for Basil by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

Mary Penhale writes to her husband William about delivering a doctor's letter to the family of a sick young gentleman in Cornwall. She visits the grand London house, meets the young lady (Clara) and her brother, and they plan to travel to Cornwall to bring the invalid home. Mary also conveys messages from Susan and describes her emotional encounter with Clara, who is deeply affected by the news.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Duty and Estrangement

Clara's immediate concern for her brother's health and the family's plan to bring him home highlight familial duty and the desire to reunite.

### Innocence and Experience

Mary's simple, emotional reaction contrasts with Clara's delicate, sheltered upbringing, yet both share a moment of human connection.

## Character check-ins

### Mary Penhale

Narrates the letter, delivers the doctor's letter to the family, and comforts Clara.

### Clara

The young lady at the grand house, sister of the sick gentleman; initially pale and sad, then overcome with emotion upon hearing the news.

### Susan

Mary's daughter, mentioned as sending kisses and doing well with her mistress.

### William Penhale

Mary's husband, recipient of the letter.

## Key lines

> She said it with such a voice and such a look, that, like a great fool, I burst out crying, instead of answering as I ought.

Her kind tone and expression moved me so much that I started crying, forgetting to respond properly.

_Mary's emotional reaction to Clara's gentle manner._

> I took and kissed her, (not remembering a bit about its being a born lady and a stranger that I was kissing);

I kissed her without thinking about the social difference between us or that she was a stranger.

_Mary's instinctive comfort transcends class boundaries._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/basil_se/chapters/part-iii-letter-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/basil_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/basil_se/chapters