Can You Forgive Her? · Chapter
Going Abroad explained
Lady Glencora urgently summons Alice to Park Lane, revealing that Mr.
What happens
Lady Glencora urgently summons Alice to Park Lane, revealing that Mr. Palliser has arranged for them to go abroad immediately to escape the scandal of her near-elopement with Burgo Fitzgerald. She confesses her turmoil and her husband's unexpected kindness, and asks Alice to accompany them. Alice reluctantly agrees, and the chapter ends with the Pallisers spending a tense week at Matching Priory before departure.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
The chapter explores the tension between Lady Glencora's love for Burgo Fitzgerald and her duty to her husband, as well as Mr. Palliser's efforts to salvage their marriage through a continental tour.
Duty vs. Desire
Lady Glencora struggles between her desire to escape with Burgo and her duty to her husband. Mr. Palliser likewise sacrifices his political ambitions out of duty to his wife.
Betrayal and Forgiveness
Lady Glencora confesses her near-betrayal, and Mr. Palliser responds with forgiveness and a plan to protect her, highlighting the theme of forgiveness in marriage.
Characters to notice
- Alice Vavasor
Alice is summoned by Lady Glencora and learns of the planned trip abroad. She is in mourning for her grandfather and initially resists, but eventually agrees to accompany the Pallisers.
- Lady Glencora Palliser
Lady Glencora confesses her near-elopement with Burgo Fitzgerald and her husband's decision to take her abroad. She is emotionally volatile, alternating between defiance and gratitude.
- Plantagenet Palliser
Mr. Palliser arranges the trip abroad, sacrificing his parliamentary ambitions to save his wife. He treats her with respect and affection, though the week at Matching is strained.
- Burgo Fitzgerald
Burgo is the man with whom Lady Glencora nearly eloped. He is mentioned as having urged her to leave her husband, but does not appear in the chapter.
Key passages
“Do come;—instantly if you can. I have so much to tell you, and so much to ask of you.”
Lady Glencora urgently requests Alice's presence, saying she has much to share and to request.
This sets the tone of urgency and intimacy for the chapter.
“I told him that I dearly loved that poor fellow, for whom, as I believe, nobody else on earth cares a single straw.”
Lady Glencora admits to her husband that she still loves Burgo Fitzgerald, whom she believes no one else cares about.
This confession is central to the emotional conflict and Mr. Palliser's response.
“He put his arm round me and whispered to me that he did not care so much about it as I had imagined.”
Mr. Palliser comforted his wife, indicating that her confession did not matter as much as she feared.
This moment of tenderness contrasts with the earlier tension and shows Mr. Palliser's forgiveness.