# A New Acquaintance explained — Lost Man’s Lane

> Chapter companion for Lost Man’s Lane by Anna Katharine Green.

## What happens

Amelia Butterworth meets Mr. Trohm, who delivers a letter and package mistakenly left at his house. Lucetta reacts with terror at his presence, fainting after he departs. Breakfast with William reveals his selfishness and resentment toward his sisters. William expresses a desire to have the house to himself, and Mr. Trohm's visit stirs tension and suspicion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Deception

Mr. Trohm's visit and Lucetta's extreme fear suggest hidden knowledge and past secrets; Miss Butterworth's minor untruth about the letter's origin adds to the theme.

### Isolation and Community

The Knollys mansion is isolated, with a reputation that frightens visitors; Mr. Trohm's role as a neighbor highlights the tension between community and seclusion.

## Character check-ins

### Amelia Butterworth

Receives a letter from Mr. Gryce via Mr. Trohm; observes Lucetta's terror and William's selfishness; maintains composure despite unease.

### Lucetta

Shows extreme fear upon seeing Mr. Trohm at the gate; faints after he leaves; her distress is palpable.

### Mr. Trohm

Delivers a letter and package to Miss Butterworth; displays unease and makes cryptic remarks; Lucetta is terrified of him.

### William Knollys

Shows selfishness and resentment toward his sisters; expresses desire to have the house to himself; laughs rudely at the lane's reputation.

### Miss Knollys

Presides at breakfast; her calm presence restrains William's outbursts; leaves Amelia with William.

## Key lines

> I am sorry that circumstances make it impossible for me to offer you those civilities which you might reasonably expect from so near a neighbor. Miss Lucetta and I are at swords’ points over a matter upon which I still insist she is to blame.

Mr. Trohm apologizes to Miss Butterworth for not being able to be neighborly, explaining that he and Lucetta are in conflict over a disagreement he believes is her fault.

_Reveals the strained relationship between Mr. Trohm and Lucetta, hinting at a deeper conflict._

> Shocked! I would have said terrified. Nothing but fear⁠—her old fear aggravated to a point that made all attempt at concealment impossible⁠—could account for her white, drawn features and trembling form.

Miss Butterworth observes that Lucetta is not merely shocked but terrified, with a fear so intense she cannot hide it, suggesting a long-standing dread.

_Highlights Lucetta's extreme reaction to Mr. Trohm, indicating a history of fear._

> I would like that great house all to myself, to make into one huge, bachelor’s hall. I should like to feel that I could tramp from one end of it to the other without awakening an echo I did not choose to hear there.

William expresses a desire to have the entire house to himself, free from his sisters, to live as a bachelor with his dogs.

_Shows William's selfishness and resentment toward his sisters' presence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/ix-a-new-acquaintance
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters