XLIX: How Lady Glencora Went to Lady Monk’s Party explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Politics and Public Life

  Lady Monk's party serves as a social arena where political and social power dynamics are on display.

• Betrayal and Forgiveness

  Lady Monk secretly provides money to Burgo Fitzgerald, potentially to facilitate his pursuit of Lady Glencora.

Characters to notice

• Lady Glencora Palliser

  Attends Lady Monk's party, avoids Mr. Bott, and exchanges brief words with her husband before he leaves.

• Plantagenet Palliser

  Attends the party briefly, leaves early, and passes Burgo Fitzgerald in the doorway without suspicion.

• Burgo Fitzgerald

  Present at the party, his eye fixed on Lady Glencora as Plantagenet leaves.

• Lady Monk

  Hosts the party, remains in her room, and has arranged money for Burgo Fitzgerald.

• Mr. Bott

  Attempts to greet Lady Glencora, but she refuses to shake his hand.

• Mrs. Marsham

  Arrives at the party alone, feeling slighted by Lady Glencora's avoidance.

Key passages

• “"I’m going away," said he, coming up to her. "I only just came because I said I would. Shall you be late?" "Oh, no; I suppose not." "Shall you dance?" "Perhaps once—just to show that I’m not an old woman." "Don’t heat yourself. Goodbye."”

  Plantagenet tells Lady Glencora he is leaving early, asks if she will be late, and advises her not to overexert herself dancing.

  Shows Plantagenet's detached concern and his lack of suspicion about Burgo.

• “"How d’ye do, Lady Glencowrer?" sounded in her ear, and there was a great red paw stuck out for her to take. But after what had passed between Lady Glencora and her husband today about Mr. Bott, she was determined that she would not take Mr. Bott’s hand.”

  Mr. Bott greets Lady Glencora with a coarse handshake, but she refuses to take his hand due to earlier discussions with her husband.

  Illustrates Lady Glencora's defiance and her conflict with Mr. Bott.