Emily of New Moon · Chapter
XXV: "She Couldn't Have Done It" explained
Emily, staying at Wyther Grange, overhears Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest recount the scandalous story of Ilse's mother, Beatrice Burnley, who allegedly eloped with her cousin Leo Mitchell and abandoned her infant daughter.
What happens
Emily, staying at Wyther Grange, overhears Great-Aunt Nancy and Caroline Priest recount the scandalous story of Ilse's mother, Beatrice Burnley, who allegedly eloped with her cousin Leo Mitchell and abandoned her infant daughter. Emily is horrified and refuses to believe the tale, insisting that Ilse's mother could not have done such a thing. The revelation deeply disturbs her, casting a shadow over her usual joys and leaving her with a painful, haunting secret she must hide from Ilse.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Truth
Emily is burdened with a dark secret about Ilse's mother that she must hide from Ilse, while grappling with the painful truth of the story.
Loss and Grief
The chapter explores the loss of Beatrice Burnley—her abandonment of her child and her death—and the grief that haunts Dr. Burnley and now Emily.
Family and Belonging
The scandal disrupts the sense of family and belonging, as Emily questions how a mother could leave her baby, and reflects on Ilse's unknowing loss.
Characters to notice
- Emily Byrd Starr
Emily is deeply affected by the story of Ilse's mother, crying for hours and struggling to reconcile the tale with her belief in Beatrice's innocence.
- Great-Aunt Nancy Priest
Great-Aunt Nancy recounts the scandal of Ilse's mother with relish, showing little regard for Emily's youth or sensitivity.
- Caroline Priest
Caroline eagerly listens to and participates in the gossip about the Burnleys, pressing for details.
- Ilse Burnley
Ilse is the daughter of Beatrice Burnley, unaware of her mother's alleged abandonment; Emily dreads meeting her with this secret.
- Dr. Burnley
Dr. Burnley is the wronged husband whose wife allegedly eloped; his hatred of women and stubborn love for Beatrice are discussed.
- Beatrice Burnley
Beatrice is the subject of the scandal, accused of abandoning her baby to elope; Emily passionately defends her, insisting she couldn't have done it.
Key passages
“Perhaps she was kidnapped... She just went on board to look around—and he weighed anchor and carried her off. She couldn’t have gone away of her own accord and left her dear little baby.”
Emily desperately suggests that Ilse's mother might have been kidnapped, unable to accept that she would willingly abandon her baby.
Emily's refusal to believe the scandal reveals her deep empathy and innocence.
“I don’t believe it... I don’t believe Ilse’s mother did that. She didn’t—she couldn’t have—not Ilse’s mother.”
Emily vehemently denies the story, insisting that Ilse's mother could not have committed such a heartless act.
Emily's passionate denial shows her loyalty to Ilse and her struggle with the harsh realities of the world.