Consolation explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Debt and Financial Ruin

  Mark confronts the full extent of his debt and the threat of ruin, while Fanny and Lucy help him plan to sell possessions to mitigate the crisis.

• Love and Marriage

  Fanny's willingness to share Mark's burdens and her grateful kiss when he vows to sign no more bills highlight the supportive role of marriage.

Characters to notice

• Mark Robarts

  Confronts Sowerby about the debt, resolves to tell Fanny everything, and vows never to sign another bill.

• Fanny Robarts

  Cheerfully shares Mark's burden, proposes selling horses and carriage, and thanks him for his promise.

• Lucy Robarts

  Present during the evening discussion, offering consolation alongside Fanny.

• Nathaniel Sowerby

  Meets Mark at the Dragon of Wantly, delivers the demand for nine hundred pounds, and is rebuked for his role in the debt.

Key passages

• “burden that will crush a single pair of shoulders will, when equally divided—when shared by two, each of whom is willing to take the heavier part—become light as a feather.”

  A burden shared by two willing partners becomes easy to bear.

  Narrator's reflection on the comfort of marital support in times of trouble.

• “I will execute no bill, I will put my name to no paper in the matter; as to that my mind is fully made up.”

  I refuse to sign any more bills or documents related to this debt.

  Mark's firm resolution to Sowerby, later repeated to Fanny.

• “The resentment of a gentleman is terrible to a gentleman; and the resentment of one just man is terrible to another. Your resentment!”

  A gentleman's anger is meaningful only to another gentleman; your anger means nothing to me.

  Mark's scornful retort to Sowerby during their confrontation.