He Knew He Was Right · Chapter
We Shall Be So Poor explained
Lady Rowley and her daughters are in Florence, where they unexpectedly encounter Mr.
What happens
Lady Rowley and her daughters are in Florence, where they unexpectedly encounter Mr. Glascock. Lady Rowley, still hoping for a match between Nora and Mr. Glascock, is dismayed to learn he is engaged to an American lady, Caroline Spalding. Nora, meanwhile, remains devoted to Hugh Stanbury. The chapter also touches on the search for Louis Trevelyan, who has fled to Siena with his son.
Themes in this chapter
Social Reputation and Gossip
Lady Rowley's concern about Mr. Glascock's engagement and her efforts to secure a match for Nora reflect the importance of social reputation and the gossip surrounding potential marriages.
Class and Professional Identity
The conversation between Lady Rowley and Miss Petrie highlights class distinctions, with Miss Petrie criticizing British society for prioritizing birth and money over intellect.
Family Loyalty and Sacrifice
Lady Rowley's efforts to secure a good marriage for Nora and the family's search for Louis Trevelyan demonstrate themes of family loyalty and sacrifice.
Characters to notice
- Nora Rowley
Nora encounters Mr. Glascock in Florence and learns of his engagement to Caroline Spalding. She remains committed to Hugh Stanbury, despite her mother's hopes.
- Lady Rowley
Lady Rowley is anxious about Mr. Glascock's engagement to an American lady and continues to hope for a match between him and Nora. She also inquires about the Trevelyan situation.
- Mr. Glascock
Mr. Glascock is staying in the same hotel as the Rowleys in Florence. He is engaged to Caroline Spalding and speaks warmly of Nora to her.
- Caroline Spalding
Caroline Spalding is engaged to Mr. Glascock. She confides in Nora about the engagement and mentions that Mr. Glascock had spoken of Nora with warmth.
- Miss Wallachia Petrie
Miss Petrie is present at Mrs. Spalding's gathering and engages in conversation with Lady Rowley, discussing London society and Mr. Glascock.
- Emily Trevelyan
Emily Trevelyan is mentioned as being in Siena with Sir Marmaduke, searching for her husband Louis Trevelyan.
- Sir Marmaduke Rowley
Sir Marmaduke has gone to Siena with Emily Trevelyan to search for Louis Trevelyan, who has fled with their son.
- Louis Trevelyan
Louis Trevelyan is reported to have gone to Siena with his son, and Sir Marmaduke is attempting to locate him.
Key passages
“I don't know that London society is very exclusive in that respect”
Lady Rowley defends London society, suggesting it is not as exclusive as Miss Petrie implies.
Lady Rowley responds to Miss Petrie's criticism of British society's focus on birth and money.
“I guess you are pretty particular, and it seems to me you don't have much regard to intellect or erudition—but fix things up straight according to birth and money.”
Miss Petrie accuses British society of valuing birth and wealth over intellect and education.
Miss Petrie expresses her critical view of British social hierarchy.
“The distant places are, in my estimation, the best. The further the mind is removed from the contamination incidental to the centres of long-established luxury, the more chance it has of developing itself according to the intention of the Creator, when he bestowed his gifts of intellect upon us.”
Miss Petrie believes that remote locations are superior for intellectual development, as they are free from the corrupting influence of luxury.
Miss Petrie extols the virtues of distant places over urban centers.
“I must tell you something, only it must be a secret for awhile. I am engaged to him—as his wife. He asked me this very afternoon, and nobody knows it but my aunt.”
Caroline Spalding confides in Nora that she is engaged to Mr. Glascock, asking her to keep it secret.
Caroline reveals her engagement to Nora, explaining that Mr. Glascock proposed that afternoon.
