Impulsive explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Marriage

  Lucy's secret love for Lord Lufton and her refusal of his proposal due to class differences and fear of Lady Lufton's reaction.

• Gossip and Public Opinion

  Lucy's fear of how others, especially Lady Lufton and society, would view a marriage between her and Lord Lufton.

• Family and Loyalty

  Lucy's concern for her brother Mark and sister-in-law Fanny, and the potential strain on family relationships.

Characters to notice

• Lucy Robarts

  Struggles with her love for Lord Lufton, having refused his proposal; confides in Fanny about her feelings and fears.

• Fanny Robarts

  Listens to Lucy's confession, promises secrecy, and is concerned about the implications for their relationship with Lady Lufton.

• Mark Robarts

  Begins his prebendal duties in Barchester, absent from Framley during Lady Lufton's stay in London.

• Lord Lufton

  Proposed to Lucy Robarts, but was refused; his proposal is the central subject of Lucy's confession.

• Lady Lufton

  Absent in London; Lucy fears her disapproval of a potential marriage to Lord Lufton.

• Griselda Grantly

  Mentioned as a potential wife for Lord Lufton, whom Lucy would dislike if that were the case.

Key passages

• “She would either preach, or starve, or weary her love into subjection, and no one should be a bit the wiser.”

  Lucy resolves to overcome her love through various means, keeping it secret from everyone.

  Illustrates Lucy's determination to hide her feelings.

• “I lied to him and told him that I did not love him.”

  Lucy admits she falsely claimed not to love Lord Lufton when she refused him.

  Reveals Lucy's internal conflict and dishonesty about her true feelings.

• “What would Lady Lufton say, and think, and feel as to that parsonage from which so deadly a blow would fall upon her?”

  Fanny worries about Lady Lufton's reaction to a potential marriage between Lucy and Lord Lufton.

  Highlights the social and familial consequences of such a match.