# Dr. Wortle’s School — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Dr. Wortle’s School by Anthony Trollope.

- [I: Dr. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-i-i-dr-wortle.md): This chapter introduces Dr. Jeffrey Wortle, the Rector of Bowick and headmaster of a successful preparatory school. He is a confident, domineering, yet generous man who has quarrelled with three successive bishops, asser
- [The New Usher](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-i-ii-the-new-usher.md): The chapter introduces Mr. Peacocke, the new usher at Dr. Wortle's school, and his wife. Despite their growing friendship with the Wortles, the Peacockes refuse all social invitations, citing their unique position. An in
- [The Mystery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-mystery.md): Dr. Wortle, prompted by the Bishop and rumors spread by Mrs. Stantiloup, feels compelled to inquire into Mr. Peacocke's past five years. He postpones the difficult conversation, dreading it. The chapter then reveals the 
- [IV: The Doctor Asks His Question](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-ii-iv-the-doctor-asks-his-question.md): Dr. Wortle, having promised the Bishop to question Mr. Peacocke about his life in America, wrestles with his conscience over the necessity of the inquiry. He writes to Mr. Peacocke, who arrives that evening. The Doctor e
- [V: “Then We Must Go”](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-ii-v-then-we-must-go.md): Dr. Wortle, after his interview with Mr. Peacocke, reflects on the potential danger to his school's reputation if the secret becomes known. He is approached by Mr. Pearson and Mr. Puddicombe about the curacy, with the la
- [Lord Carstairs](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-lord-carstairs.md): This chapter focuses on the friendship between Mr. Peacocke and Lord Carstairs, a young nobleman who returns to Bowick as a private pupil after being expelled from Eton. The Doctor and Mrs. Wortle discuss the potential d
- [VII: Robert Lefroy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iii-vii-robert-lefroy.md): Robert Lefroy, the brother of the man who claims to be Mrs. Peacocke's true husband, arrives at Bowick and confronts Mr. Peacocke. He attempts to blackmail him, but Peacocke refuses to pay. Lefroy then leaves to tell his
- [VIII: The Story Is Told](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iii-viii-the-story-is-told.md): Dr. Wortle confronts Mr. Peacocke after Robert Lefroy's accusations. Peacocke begins to tell his true story, revealing the complexities of his marriage and the events in America. The chapter also shows Peacocke's interna
- [IX: Mrs. Wortle and Mr. Puddicombe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iii-ix-mrs-wortle-and-mr-puddicombe.md): After Mr. Peacocke confesses his situation to Dr. Wortle, the Doctor is deeply troubled and seeks counsel from his wife and Mr. Puddicombe. Mrs. Wortle, though sympathetic, insists that the Peacockes must leave, fearing 
- [Mr. Peacocke Goes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iv-x-mr-peacocke-goes.md): Dr. Wortle, though initially angered by his wife and Mr. Puddicombe, is deeply affected by their counsel that Mr. Peacocke must leave. A chance word from Robert Lefroy suggests that his brother Ferdinand might be dead, s
- [The Bishop](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iv-xi-the-bishop.md): Mr. Peacocke's secret becomes known throughout the diocese, and the general opinion is that Mrs. Peacocke should not remain at the school. Dr. Wortle defends his decision to let her stay, arguing that he could not turn h
- [The Stantiloup Correspondence](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iv-xii-the-stantiloup-correspondence.md): Mrs. Stantiloup, staying at Buttercup Hall, rallies the ladies against Dr. Wortle's school, pressuring the Momsons to withdraw their son and writing to Lady Grogram to influence the Talbots. The Bishop remains guarded, a
- [I: Mr. Puddicombe’s Boot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-i-mr-puddicombe-s-boot.md): The chapter opens with the Broughton Gazette publishing a scathing article about Dr. Wortle, criticizing him for allowing Mr. Peacocke to preach in his church and for employing him in his school despite the scandalous ci
- [Everybody's Business](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-ii-everybody-s-business.md): Dr. Wortle becomes the subject of a scurrilous article in the periodical 'Everybody's Business,' which implies impropriety in his relationship with Mrs. Peacocke. The Bishop, influenced by local gossip, writes a warning 
- [III: “Amo in the Cool of the Evening”](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-iii-amo-in-the-cool-of-the-evening.md): Dr. Wortle consults his lawyers about suing the newspaper that published the libelous joke 'Amo in the cool of the evening,' which implied he was making love to Mrs. Peacocke. He is furious with the Bishop for sending hi
- [IV: “It Is Impossible”](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-iv-it-is-impossible.md): While Dr. and Mrs. Wortle are away, Lord Carstairs visits the Rectory and declares his love to Mary Wortle. Mary, though surprised, firmly tells him it is impossible due to his youth and their different stations. Upon th
- [The Journey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-vi-the-journey.md): Mr. Peacocke travels with Robert Lefroy to America to verify the death of Ferdinand Lefroy. Lefroy reveals that Ferdinand died in San Francisco, but Peacocke insists on seeing the grave. They journey to New York and then
- [VII: “Nobody Has Condemned You Here”](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-vii-nobody-has-condemned-you-here.md): Mrs. Wortle, having noticed that her husband no longer visits Mrs. Peacocke alone, becomes more attentive herself and grows fond of the woman. One morning, she finds Mrs. Peacocke has received a letter from Mr. Peacocke 
- [Lord Bracy's Letter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-vii-lord-bracy-s-letter.md): The school and parish settle into quiet routine after the Bishop quarrel subsides. Mr. Peacocke writes from America with promising news about finding proof of Lefroy's death. Dr. Wortle receives a letter from Lord Bracy 
- [At Chicago](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-ix-at-chicago.md): Mr. Peacocke travels to San Francisco to obtain proof of Ferdinand Lefroy's death, including a photograph of his gravestone and certificates of burial. He then goes to Chicago to meet Robert Lefroy, who attempts to black
- [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-conclusion.md): The final chapter of Dr. Wortle's School concludes the narrative, resolving the fates of the characters and reflecting on the themes of the story. It ties together the various plotlines, offering a final commentary on th
- [X: The Doctor’s Answer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-x-the-doctor-s-answer.md): Mrs. Peacocke receives a letter from San Francisco with evidence of her first husband's death, and she informs Mrs. Wortle that Mr. Peacocke will return within a week or ten days. Meanwhile, the Wortle family is preoccup
- [Mr. Peacocke's Return](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-xi-mr-peacocke-s-return.md): The chapter opens with the Earl's brief acceptance of Mary's engagement to Lord Carstairs, lifting Dr. Wortle's spirits and prompting him to focus on Mr. Peacocke's affairs. Mrs. Wortle, however, is consumed with anxiety
- [XII: Mary's Success](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-xii-mary-s-success.md): Lord Carstairs unexpectedly returns to Bowick, ostensibly to visit Mr. Peacocke, but really to see Mary. The young lovers meet and embrace, and the Doctor and Mrs. Wortle accept the situation. The chapter then jumps forw

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