Hester · Chapter
XIX: Confidences explained
Edward Vernon and Roland Ashton walk together on a quiet Sunday afternoon, discussing business and Edward's growing dissatisfaction with his steady, monotonous life.
What happens
Edward Vernon and Roland Ashton walk together on a quiet Sunday afternoon, discussing business and Edward's growing dissatisfaction with his steady, monotonous life. Edward reveals his resentment toward his aunt Catherine's control and his desire for excitement, even hinting at crime. Ashton probes about Hester, and Edward harshly reveals her impending marriage to Harry Vernon. Despite mutual distrust and antipathy, the two men are drawn together by mutual interest: Edward sees in Ashton a key to wealth and excitement, while Ashton sees in Edward access to the capital of Catherine's bank and the local populace.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Secrecy
The conversation between Edward and Roland is marked by mutual distrust and hidden motives; they conceal their true feelings while forming a secretive business alliance.
Wealth and Morality
Edward's desire for sudden wealth and excitement clashes with the moral constraints of his steady life; the chapter explores the moral compromises inherent in financial speculation.
Family and Obligation
Edward's resentment toward Catherine's authority and his betrayal of her trust highlight the tension between family duty and personal ambition.
Characters to notice
- Edward Vernon
Expresses deep dissatisfaction with his quiet life and resentment toward Aunt Catherine's control; reveals Hester's engagement to Harry Vernon; shows bitterness and a desire for risky ventures.
- Roland Ashton
Engages Edward in conversation about business and speculation; shows curiosity about Hester; feels indignation at Edward's ingratitude toward Catherine, but is restrained by mutual interest.
- Hester Vernon
Mentioned by Edward as being like Catherine; Edward reveals she is to marry Harry Vernon, which causes Roland to react with surprise and displeasure.
- Catherine Vernon
Referenced as the head of the bank and family; Edward resents her control and her fondness for Ashton; her tea is described by Edward as a 'drink of bondage.'
- Harry Vernon
Mentioned as Hester's intended husband; described by Edward as having 'money and little brains.'
Key passages
“I begin to feel as if I should welcome anything to break the monotony—crime itself.”
Edward admits he is so desperate for change that he would even consider criminal acts.
Reveals Edward's extreme dissatisfaction and moral vulnerability.
“Don't you know she is going to marry Harry Vernon?—an excellent match for her—money and little brains—whereas she has much brains and little money, the very thing in marriage.”
Edward tells Roland that Hester is engaged to Harry Vernon, a match he cynically describes as ideal because Harry has wealth but lacks intelligence, while Hester is intelligent but poor.
Highlights Edward's bitterness and the transactional view of marriage in the society.
“He hated even the fragrance of them—the little steams ascending. Thank Heaven no one could bring him tea out upon the high road!”
Edward despises the tea that Catherine serves, seeing it as a symbol of his subservience, and is relieved that on the open road he is free from such domestic rituals.
Illustrates Edward's resentment of Catherine's control and his desire for independence.