# Chapter IV explained — Man and Wife

> Chapter companion for Man and Wife by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

Lady Jane Parnell arrives at the Hampstead house seeking a furnished house for a friend and is shocked to find Mr. Vanborough there. Mr. Vanborough, desperate to prevent his wife from discovering Lady Jane, silently nods to imply that Mrs. Vanborough is Mr. Delamayn's wife. Lady Jane, believing Mr. Vanborough to be single, later confronts him at his own home, where Mrs. Vanborough produces a marriage certificate to prove their union. Mr. Delamayn, the lawyer, declares the certificate 'waste paper,' asserting that Mr. Vanborough is not legally married. Mrs. Vanborough collapses in despair, and Lady Jane leaves in horror.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage and Its Legal Bonds

The chapter centers on the legal validity of marriage, as Mr. Vanborough denies his wife and the lawyer declares the marriage certificate worthless.

### Betrayal and Deception

Mr. Vanborough deceives both his wife and Lady Jane, lying about his marital status and betraying his wife's trust.

### Gender and Power

Mrs. Vanborough is powerless against the legal system and her husband's denial, despite having a marriage certificate.

## Character check-ins

### Lady Jane Parnell

Visits the Hampstead house and later confronts Mr. Vanborough; believes him to be single.

### Mr. Vanborough

Attempts to hide his wife from Lady Jane; denies his marriage when directly questioned.

### Mrs. Vanborough

Produces her marriage certificate to prove her marriage; collapses when it is declared invalid.

### Julius Delamayn

Mr. Vanborough's lawyer; declares the marriage certificate to be 'waste paper' and states that Vanborough is not legally married.

## Key lines

> In two words, madam, ... waste paper.

The lawyer declares the marriage certificate legally worthless.

_Mr. Delamayn dismisses the certificate, asserting that Mr. Vanborough is not married._

> He is not married.

Mr. Vanborough is legally single.

_The lawyer confirms that the marriage is not recognized by law._

> That woman will murder me!

Lady Jane fears Mrs. Vanborough will attack her.

_Lady Jane is terrified by Mrs. Vanborough's anguished expression._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters