# Showing How Colonel Osborne Went to Nuncombe Putney explained — He Knew He Was Right

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

## What happens

Colonel Osborne visits Nuncombe Putney, causing tension among the women at the Clock House. Emily Trevelyan insists on her right to receive him despite her husband's objections, leading to a quarrel with Priscilla and Mrs. Stanbury. The visit is futile in terms of sentiment but damaging to reputation, as local gossip spreads and Priscilla feels compelled to write to her aunt about the event.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Reputation and Gossip

The visit fuels local gossip and forces Priscilla to write to her aunt, underscoring the power of reputation in a small community.

### Gender Roles and Power in Marriage

Emily asserts her autonomy against her husband's wishes, challenging the era's expectations of wifely obedience.

## Character check-ins

### Emily Trevelyan

Defends her right to see Colonel Osborne, arguing she will not be treated as a prisoner or guilty woman.

### Nora Rowley

Supports her sister Emily, downplaying the significance of Colonel Osborne's visit.

### Priscilla Stanbury

Strongly opposes the visit, writes to her aunt and brother about it, feeling compelled to be honest.

### Colonel Osborne

Visits Nuncombe Putney under the pretext of seeing an acquaintance and a church, but his real motive is to see Emily Trevelyan.

### Mrs. Stanbury

Distressed by the visit, initially unaware of it, and caught in the ensuing quarrel.

## Key lines

> Colonel Osborne was expected at Nuncombe Putney on the Friday, and it was Thursday evening before either Mrs. Stanbury or Priscilla was told of his coming.

The women at the Clock House only learned of Colonel Osborne's planned visit the night before he arrived.

_Highlights the lack of communication and the surprise element of the visit._

> To Priscilla’s imagination that coming of Lucifer in person, of which Mrs. Trevelyan had spoken, would hardly have been worse than the coming of Colonel Osborne.

Priscilla considered Colonel Osborne's visit nearly as disastrous as a visit from the devil himself.

_Emphasizes Priscilla's extreme disapproval and the perceived threat to the household's reputation._

> No more futile visit than this of Colonel Osborne’s to the Clock House was ever made.

The visit was completely pointless and achieved nothing of what the Colonel had intended.

_Summarizes the irony of the visit: it caused harm without any romantic or sentimental progress._

## Links

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