# The March of Time explained — Man and Wife

> Chapter companion for Man and Wife by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

The chapter advances from 1855 to 1868, summarizing the fates of those involved in the Hampstead villa tragedy. Mr. Vanborough marries Lady Jane Parnell and enjoys social and political success, while his deserted wife dies after a period of courageous independence. Lady Lundie raises Anne Silvester and Blanche Lundie as sisters, but after Lady Lundie's death at sea and Sir Thomas's remarriage, the two young women remain devoted to each other at the opening of 1867.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage and Its Legal Bonds

Mr. Vanborough's remarriage after legally freeing himself from his first wife highlights the legal and social manipulation of marriage bonds.

### Suffering and Resilience

Mrs. Silvester's quiet endurance and courageous independence after desertion, and her eventual death, illustrate the theme of suffering and resilience.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Lady Lundie's unwavering loyalty to her friend Anne Silvester and her promise to care for the child, as well as Anne's promise to be a sister to Blanche, underscore the theme of friendship and loyalty.

## Character check-ins

### Anne Silvester

Now a young woman of twenty-two, raised by Lady Lundie and serving as governess and sister to Blanche; she promises Lady Lundie to always be a sister to Blanche.

### Blanche Lundie

Now a girl of fifteen, living with Anne under the care of Lady Lundie and later Sir Thomas and his second wife.

### Lady Lundie

Fulfills her pledge to Anne's mother, raises Anne and Blanche, but dies at sea after a voyage for her health.

### Sir Thomas Lundie

Returns from India, remarries after Lady Lundie's death, and brings his second wife to England in 1866.

### Mr. Vanborough

Marries Lady Jane Parnell, enters Parliament, and enjoys social success after his first wife's death.

### Lady Jane Parnell

Marries Mr. Vanborough and helps advance his social and political career.

## Key lines

> He offered (through his lawyer) a handsome provision for her and for her child. It was rejected, without an instant's hesitation.

Mr. Vanborough proposed financial support for his deserted wife and daughter, but she immediately refused.

_Illustrates Mrs. Silvester's pride and rejection of Vanborough's guilt money._

> She said, 'we will meet, darling, with all the old love between us,' just as she had said almost a lifetime since.

On her deathbed, Mrs. Silvester spoke to Lady Lundie with the same affectionate words from their youth.

_Shows the enduring bond between the two friends despite the years of separation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters/ii-the-march-of-time
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters