Lady Audley’s Secret · Chapter
XXXIX: That Which the Dying Man Had to Tell explained
Luke Marks, on his deathbed, confesses to Robert Audley that he found George Talboys alive in the lime-walk on the night of September 7th, hidden after a struggle.
What happens
Luke Marks, on his deathbed, confesses to Robert Audley that he found George Talboys alive in the lime-walk on the night of September 7th, hidden after a struggle. He reveals that George wrote two letters—one to Robert and one to Helen (Lady Audley)—using his left hand due to a broken arm, and then left England forever. Luke had kept this secret, using it to extort power over Lady Audley. Robert, overwhelmed, writes to Madame Taylor (Lady Audley) to inform her that her husband did not die by her hand. Luke dies peacefully that afternoon.
Themes in this chapter
Secrecy and Deception
Luke Marks reveals he kept George's survival a secret for months, using it to manipulate Lady Audley, highlighting the corrosive power of hidden truths.
Justice and Morality
Robert Audley grapples with the moral implications of Luke's confession and decides to inform Lady Audley, seeking a form of closure rather than retribution.
Identity and Self
George Talboys' decision to write with his left hand and leave England underscores his transformation and desire to erase his former identity.
Characters to notice
- Robert Audley
Sits vigil with the dying Luke Marks, hears the confession about George's survival, and writes a letter to Lady Audley with the news.
- Luke Marks
On his deathbed, confesses to finding George Talboys alive on September 7th, hiding the letters he wrote, and using the secret to control Lady Audley.
- George Talboys
Revealed to have survived the attack; he wrote two farewell letters with his left hand due to a broken arm and left England forever.
- Lady Audley
Referred to as 'Helen' and 'Madame Taylor'; Luke kept the secret of George's survival to wield power over her, and Robert writes to inform her.
- Phoebe Marks
Asleep in the room below during Luke's confession; had been involved in the secret through her knowledge of the events.
- Clara Talboys
Robert hopes to tell her that her brother still lives and has been found.
Key passages
“I opened the two letters, and I read ’em, but I couldn’t make much sense out of ’em, and I hid ’em away; and not a creature but me has seen ’em until this night.”
Luke Marks admits he read the letters but didn't understand them, so he hid them and kept them secret until now.
Luke's confession reveals his role in concealing evidence of George's survival.
“It was a groan—a groan of a man in pain, as was lyin’ somewhere hid among the bushes.”
Luke describes hearing a painful groan from a man hidden in the bushes near the dry well.
This marks the moment Luke discovered George Talboys alive.
“He wrote it with his own hand; but it was his left hand, for he couldn’t use his right because of his broken arm.”
Luke explains that George wrote the letters using his left hand because his right arm was broken.
This detail confirms the authenticity of the letters despite the unfamiliar handwriting.
“I’d have been burnt alive before I’d have told her.”
Luke declares he would never have revealed the secret to Lady Audley, even under threat of death.
Luke's animosity toward Lady Audley motivated his silence and manipulation.
