Robert Audley Gets His Conge explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Social Class and Ambition

  Alicia's refusal of Sir Harry Towers, a wealthy baronet, highlights the tension between social expectations and personal choice in marriage.

• Appearance vs. Reality

  Lady Audley's mournful demeanor with departing guests contrasts with the underlying tension that leads Sir Michael to send Robert away.

• Love and Marriage

  Sir Harry's genuine affection for Alicia is contrasted with Robert's detached, almost indifferent attitude toward her.

Characters to notice

• Robert Audley

  Remains at Audley Court after the holidays, but is asked by Sir Michael to leave due to his attentions to Lady Audley; he departs and goes to Mount Stanning.

• Lady Audley

  Bids farewell to the departing guests with a mournful look; her interactions with Robert cause Sir Michael to request his departure.

• Sir Michael Audley

  Hospitably speeds the parting guests, then tells Robert he must leave the Court because of his attentions to Lady Audley.

• Alicia Audley

  Refuses Sir Harry Towers' proposal; has an emotional conversation with Robert in the drawing-room.

• Sir Harry Towers

  Proposes to Alicia and is refused; walks in the lime-walk afterward, heartbroken.

• Phoebe Marks

  Robert asks her if he can be accommodated with apartments at the inn in Mount Stanning.

Key passages

• “The Christmas week was over, and one by one the country visitors dropped away from Audley Court.”

  After Christmas, the guests gradually left Audley Court.

  Sets the scene for the departure of visitors and the ensuing events.

• “Sir Harry Towers demanded and obtained an interview with Miss Alicia Audley in the oak library—an interview in which considerable emotion was displayed by the stalwart young foxhunter; so much emotion, indeed, and of such a genuine and honest character, that Alicia fairly broke down as she told him she should forever esteem and respect him for his true and noble heart, but that he must never, never, unless he wished to cause her the most cruel distress, ask more from her than this esteem and respect.”

  Sir Harry Towers proposed to Alicia in the library, but she gently refused him, saying she could only offer esteem and respect.

  Key moment of romantic rejection and emotional honesty.

• “I have been attentive to my lady. She interests me; and then, with a change in his voice, and an emotion not common to him, he turned to the baronet, and grasping his hand, exclaimed, 'God forbid, my dear uncle, that I should ever bring trouble upon such a noble heart as yours! God forbid that the slightest shadow of dishonor should ever fall upon your honored head—least of all through agency of mine.'”

  Robert admitted he had been paying attention to Lady Audley, but then emotionally assured Sir Michael he would never bring dishonor upon him.

  Reveals Robert's conflicted feelings and foreshadows his investigation.