# XLV: The End explained — Hester

> Chapter companion for Hester by Margaret Oliphant.

## What happens

Catherine Vernon prepares to leave the Grange, selling her possessions with cheerful indifference. In the evenings, she grows increasingly still and distant. In a final conversation with Hester, she urges her to consider marrying Harry or Roland Ashton, but Hester insists she will never marry. Catherine reveals her own heartbreak and sense of having received a death blow. Later that night, Hester finds Catherine has died peacefully in her chair. The town mourns her deeply, honoring her courage and generosity. The chapter ends with Hester facing a choice between two worthy suitors.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wealth and Morality

Catherine's cheerful divestment of her possessions and the sale of heirlooms highlight the moral weight of wealth and its transience.

### Love and Marriage

Catherine urges Hester to marry either Harry or Roland, while Hester insists she will never marry, reflecting conflicting views on marriage as a solution to life's trials.

## Character check-ins

### Catherine Vernon

Dies peacefully after a final conversation with Hester; her funeral draws a mourning crowd.

### Hester Vernon

Catherine's companion; refuses to marry despite Catherine's urging; discovers Catherine's death.

### Harry Vernon

Mentioned as a possible suitor for Hester; Catherine now speaks well of him.

### Roland Ashton

Mentioned as another possible suitor for Hester; described as having brains.

### Captain Morgan

Suffers a stroke but continues to visit Catherine and Hester.

## Key lines

> Her misfortunes, and the noble courage with which she had stood up against them at the end, brought back all the fullness of the love and honour with which she had been regarded when she first became supreme in the place, and all bounty flowed from her.

The town's affection for Catherine was restored by her dignified response to her final hardships, reminiscent of the admiration she received at the height of her power.

_Describes the public's renewed respect for Catherine at her funeral._

> I would marry, if I were you! I would wipe out every recollection.

Catherine advises Hester to marry in order to move past painful memories.

_Catherine's final counsel to Hester about marriage as a fresh start._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hester_se/chapters/xlv-the-end
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hester_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hester_se/chapters