Lady Audley’s Secret · Chapter
After a Year explained
A year after George Talboys' loss, Robert Audley persuades him to visit Audley Court.
What happens
A year after George Talboys' loss, Robert Audley persuades him to visit Audley Court. They are denied lodging by Lady Audley's feigned illness, but decide to stay at the Sun Inn. The chapter introduces Lady Audley's childish beauty and her secretive behavior, including a private commission to her maid Phoebe Marks and a sudden trip to London to visit a dying schoolmistress. The chapter ends with the barouche stopping at the inn as dusk falls.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
Lady Audley's childish beauty and innocence mask her secretive and manipulative actions, such as feigning illness and locking her rooms.
Secrecy and Deception
Lady Audley gives Phoebe a secret commission, locks her rooms, and fabricates a reason to travel to London, suggesting hidden motives.
Social Class and Ambition
Lady Audley enjoys her elevated status as a baronet's wife, with expensive dresses and pin-money, contrasting with her past dependence.
Characters to notice
- Robert Audley
Persuades George to visit Audley Court; receives letter from Alicia; decides to stay at the Sun Inn; keeps Alicia's letter as a potential link in future evidence.
- George Talboys
Submissive and resigned after his wife's death; agrees to accompany Robert; finds some enjoyment in the rustic scenery.
- Lady Audley
Feigns illness to avoid hosting guests; described as childish, beautiful, and secretive; gives Phoebe a private commission; locks her rooms and travels to London with Sir Michael.
- Alicia Audley
Writes to Robert explaining that Lady Audley refuses visitors; her letter later becomes a link in the chain of evidence.
- Phoebe Marks
Lady Audley's maid; receives a secret commission to go to London; told to keep her own counsel.
- Sir Michael Audley
Accompanies Lady Audley to London; generous and trusting husband.
Key passages
“The quiet form his grief had taken after its first brief violence, left him as submissive as a child to the will of his friend; ready to go anywhere or do anything; never enjoying himself, or originating any enjoyment, but joining in the pleasures of others with a hopeless, uncomplaining, unobtrusive resignation peculiar to his simple nature.”
George's grief made him passive and obedient, like a child, following Robert's lead without finding any pleasure himself.
Describes George's emotional state after his wife's death.
“In her better fortunes, as in her old days of dependence, wherever she went she seemed to take sunshine and gladness with her.”
Lady Audley brought happiness and brightness wherever she went, both in her wealthy new life and in her poorer past.
Highlights Lady Audley's charming and seemingly joyful demeanor.
“We hear every day of murders committed in the country. Brutal and treacherous murders; slow, protracted agonies from poisons administered by some kindred hand; sudden and violent deaths by cruel blows, inflicted with a stake cut from some spreading oak, whose every shadow promised—peace.”
Even in peaceful rural settings, violent crimes like murder and poisoning occur, contradicting the calm appearance.
Foreshadows the dark events to come in the seemingly tranquil countryside.