# Mr. Cheekey explained — Cousin Henry

> Chapter companion for Cousin Henry by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Cousin Henry is given a month to decide whether to face a criminal prosecution for libel against Mr. Evans, but he is paralyzed by fear and indecision. Mr. Apjohn and the townspeople of Carmarthen hope that the trial will force the truth about the hidden will out of him. The formidable barrister Mr. Cheekey is brought in to cross-examine Cousin Henry, and the chapter explores the legal maneuvering and public anticipation surrounding the case.

## Themes in this chapter

### Guilt and Conscience

Cousin Henry's internal torment and indecision about revealing the will highlight his guilt and troubled conscience.

### Justice and Injustice

The legal proceedings and public desire to uncover the truth reflect the theme of justice versus the injustice of Cousin Henry's possession of the property.

### Isolation and Paranoia

Cousin Henry's isolation and paranoid behavior, such as hiding the will and fearing discovery, are central to the chapter.

## Character check-ins

### Cousin Henry

Paralyzed by fear and indecision, he considers revealing the hidden will but fails to act as the month passes.

### Mr. Apjohn

The attorney orchestrates the prosecution, hoping to force Cousin Henry into the witness box to extract the truth.

### Mr. Cheekey

A formidable barrister known for bullying witnesses, brought in to cross-examine Cousin Henry.

### Mr. Gregory Evans

The newspaper proprietor being prosecuted for libel, who is confident that the trial will expose Cousin Henry's guilt.

### Mr. Balsam

A mild-mannered barrister retained by Mr. Apjohn for the prosecution.

## Key lines

> A month had been left for Cousin Henry to consider what he would do—a month from the day in which he had been forced to accede to Mr. Apjohn’s proposal up to that on which he would have to stand before the barrister at Carmarthen, should he be brave enough at last to undergo the ordeal.

Cousin Henry had a month to decide whether to appear in court, but he was already certain he could not face it.

_Highlights Cousin Henry's cowardice and the pressure of the approaching trial._

> He was possessed also of another precious gift—which, if he had not invented, he had brought to perfection—that of bullying the judge also.

Mr. Cheekey was skilled at intimidating not only witnesses but even the judge himself.

_Describes Mr. Cheekey's notorious courtroom tactics._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cousin_henry_se/chapters/xvii-mr-cheekey
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cousin_henry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cousin_henry_se/chapters