He Knew He Was Right · Chapter
Sir Marmaduke at Willesden explained
Sir Marmaduke Rowley visits Trevelyan at Willesden to confront him about his treatment of Emily.
What happens
Sir Marmaduke Rowley visits Trevelyan at Willesden to confront him about his treatment of Emily. Initially aggressive, Sir Marmaduke is disarmed by Trevelyan's pitiable physical and mental state. Trevelyan refuses to answer charges, insists on his love for his wife and child, and threatens to flee to America. The landlady, Mrs. Fuller, intervenes to warn Sir Marmaduke of Trevelyan's instability. After leaving, Sir Marmaduke consults Dr. Trite Turbury about legal and medical steps to protect the child.
Themes in this chapter
Madness and Obsession
Trevelyan's physical and mental deterioration is vividly depicted, with his obsessive love for his wife and child manifesting in paranoid and irrational behavior, leading others to question his sanity.
Family Loyalty and Sacrifice
Sir Marmaduke's fierce defense of his daughter Emily and his determination to protect her and her child from Trevelyan's instability highlight the theme of familial duty and sacrifice.
Pride and Stubbornness
Trevelyan's refusal to answer Sir Marmaduke's charges and his insistence on his own terms for reconciliation demonstrate his pride and stubbornness, even as his health fails.
Characters to notice
- Sir Marmaduke Rowley
Visits Trevelyan at Willesden to demand answers about Emily's treatment; his indignation gives way to pity upon seeing Trevelyan's wretched state; later consults Dr. Turbury.
- Louis Trevelyan
Confronted by Sir Marmaduke; appears physically and mentally broken, with sunken cheeks, glowing eyes, and nervous twitching; refuses to answer charges but insists on his love for Emily and his son; plans to escape to America.
- Emily Trevelyan
Mentioned as having visited Trevelyan on Thursday; her father defends her against Trevelyan's unspecified charges.
- Mrs. Fuller
The landlady at Willesden; interrupts the interview to warn Sir Marmaduke about Trevelyan's health and behavior, describing his night sweats, lack of appetite, and care of the child.
- Louey
Trevelyan's son; mentioned as being in Mrs. Fuller's bed upstairs and as the focus of Trevelyan's plan to flee to America.
- Dr. Turbury
Consulted by Sir Marmaduke after the visit; advises that legal steps are needed before the child can be rescued from Trevelyan.
Key passages
“I will tell you nothing; I will answer you not a word.”
Trevelyan refuses to respond to Sir Marmaduke's accusations.
Highlights Trevelyan's defiant and uncooperative stance.
“He was as wretched a being to look at as it might have been possible to find. His contracted cheeks, and lips always open, and eyes glowing in their sunken caverns, told a tale which even Sir Marmaduke... could not fail to read.”
Trevelyan's physical appearance reveals his deep misery and declining health.
Emphasizes the theme of madness and obsession through visual description.
“She can put an end to it all. She has but to say a word, and I will devote my life to her. But that word must be spoken.”
Trevelyan believes Emily can resolve their conflict by agreeing to his conditions.
Illustrates Trevelyan's conditional love and stubbornness.