He Knew He Was Right · Chapter
The Baths of Lucca explained
The Rowleys and Spaldings are at the Baths of Lucca, awaiting the marriage of Mr.
What happens
The Rowleys and Spaldings are at the Baths of Lucca, awaiting the marriage of Mr. Glascock and Caroline Spalding. Nora Rowley decides she will not return to the Mandarins with her parents, intending instead to marry Hugh Stanbury. She writes to Hugh, breaking her promise of silence, to inform him of her plans. Meanwhile, Mr. Glascock receives a letter from Trevelyan, which may require him to travel to Siena before his wedding. Emily Trevelyan remains secluded, softened toward her husband and unwilling to leave Italy without her son.
Themes in this chapter
Family Loyalty and Sacrifice
Nora's decision to stay in England for love versus her family's expectation that she return to the Mandarins highlights the tension between filial duty and personal commitment.
Gender Roles and Power in Marriage
Nora asserts her agency by writing to Hugh and planning her own future, challenging her mother's and father's authority over her marriage decisions.
Social Reputation and Gossip
Lady Rowley's bitterness over Nora's refusal of Mr. Glascock reflects concerns about social standing and the perception of Nora's choices.
Characters to notice
- Nora Rowley
Decides to stay in England and marry Hugh Stanbury; writes to him breaking her promise of silence.
- Lady Rowley
Bitter about Nora's refusal of Mr. Glascock; struggles with Nora's decision to stay and marry Stanbury.
- Mr. Glascock
Receives Trevelyan's letter; considers a journey to Siena before his marriage to Caroline.
- Caroline Spalding
Engaged to Mr. Glascock; invites Nora to Monkhams after the wedding.
- Emily Trevelyan
Remains in her room; softened toward her husband and unwilling to leave Italy without her son.
- Sir Marmaduke Rowley
Fretful about Nora's plans; will accompany Emily when others go to Florence for the wedding.
- Hugh Stanbury
Nora writes to him about her decision to stay in England and her plans to join him.
- Louis Trevelyan
Living in seclusion near Siena; his letter to Mr. Glascock prompts a possible journey.
Key passages
“If Nora had not been self-willed and stiff-necked beyond the usual self-willedness and stiff-neckedness of young women she might have been herself the mistress of Monkhams.”
Lady Rowley thinks that if Nora were not so stubborn, she could have married Mr. Glascock and become the lady of Monkhams.
Reflects Lady Rowley's regret and bitterness over Nora's rejection of a wealthy match.
“I will not go out to the Islands. I should never get back again, and I should be brokenhearted.”
Nora declares she will not return to the Mandarins, fearing she would be trapped there and miserable.
Nora's firm resolve to stay in England for Hugh, despite her parents' wishes.
“Mamma, I promised not to write, and I have not written. And he has not written—because I told him not. Therefore, nothing is settled. But it is not fair to throw it in my teeth that nothing is settled.”
Nora reminds her mother that she kept her promise not to correspond with Hugh, so it's unfair to blame her for the lack of plans.
Highlights Nora's frustration with her mother's criticism and her own constrained position.
