# What They Said About It in the Close explained — He Knew He Was Right

> Chapter companion for He Knew He Was Right by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

In Exeter, Miss Stanbury harshly criticizes Mrs. Trevelyan for separating from her husband and living under Hugh Stanbury's protection, suspecting her of impropriety with Colonel Osborne. At Mrs. MacHugh's tea party, the town gossips—including the Miss Frenches and Mr. Gibson—discuss the scandal, questioning Mrs. Trevelyan's innocence and the social implications. Dorothy defends her, explaining the misunderstanding is between husband and wife, not due to a lover. Miss Stanbury warns that if Colonel Osborne visits Nuncombe Putney, Mrs. Stanbury must send Mrs. Trevelyan away.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Reputation and Gossip

The chapter centers on Exeter society's gossip about Mrs. Trevelyan's separation, with characters like the Miss Frenches and Mr. Gibson speculating on her guilt and the role of Colonel Osborne.

### Gender Roles and Power in Marriage

Miss Stanbury and the gossips judge Mrs. Trevelyan harshly for leaving her husband, reflecting Victorian expectations that wives should endure marital problems and maintain domestic duty.

## Character check-ins

### Miss Jemima Stanbury

Expresses strong disapproval of Mrs. Trevelyan's separation and living arrangement, calling her 'no better than she should be' and warning Dorothy about Colonel Osborne's potential visit.

### Dorothy Stanbury

Defends Mrs. Trevelyan at the tea party, explaining that the separation is due to a misunderstanding between the couple, not because of Colonel Osborne.

### Camilla French

Eagerly gossips about Mrs. Trevelyan, insinuating scandal and whispering Colonel Osborne's name to Mr. Gibson.

### Arabella French

Joins her sister in gossiping, feigning meekness while implying Mrs. Trevelyan's guilt and questioning her church attendance.

### Mr. Gibson

Participates in the gossip, expressing timid curiosity about the scandal and sharing whispers with the Miss Frenches.

## Key lines

> When women can't keep themselves from idle talking with strange gentlemen, they are very far gone on the road to the devil.

Miss Stanbury believes that any woman who engages in casual conversation with unfamiliar men is morally corrupt.

_Reflects her rigid Victorian moral stance on female propriety._

> But if that Colonel What's-his-name makes his way down to Nuncombe Putney, your mother must send her packing, if she has any respect either for herself or for Priscilla.

Miss Stanbury warns Dorothy that if Colonel Osborne visits, Mrs. Stanbury must evict Mrs. Trevelyan to protect her own and Priscilla's reputation.

_Foreshadows the potential scandal of Colonel Osborne's visit and the social consequences._

## Links

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