# The Suitor explained — Man and Wife

> Chapter companion for Man and Wife by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

Lady Lundie confronts Anne Silvester about her illness and suspicious behavior, accusing her of being unfit company for Blanche. Sir Patrick Lundie deflects her attempts to draw him into the conflict. Arnold Brinkworth finally secures a private audience with Sir Patrick to ask for Blanche's hand in marriage, which Sir Patrick grants. Their conversation is interrupted by a groom delivering a message from Julius Delamayn for his brother Geoffrey.

## Themes in this chapter

### Gender and Power

Lady Lundie exercises domestic authority over Anne, while Sir Patrick wields patriarchal power by granting or withholding consent to Arnold's marriage.

### Hypocrisy of Society

Lady Lundie's public politeness masks her private hostility toward Anne, and Sir Patrick's jocular demeanor conceals his strategic avoidance of family conflict.

### Social Class and Ambition

Arnold's inheritance of an estate and his eagerness to marry Blanche highlight the intersection of property, social standing, and romantic aspiration.

## Character check-ins

### Lady Lundie

Confronts Anne about her illness and behavior, expressing suspicion and hostility; tries to enlist Sir Patrick's support against the governess.

### Sir Patrick Lundie

Deflects Lady Lundie's attempts to involve him in her quarrel with Anne; grants Arnold permission to marry Blanche.

### Anne Silvester

Leaves the summerhouse in distress after being worn out by her interview with Geoffrey and then confronted by Lady Lundie.

### Arnold Brinkworth

Seeks Sir Patrick's consent to marry Blanche; receives it and prepares to leave for his estate.

### Blanche Lundie

Defends Anne against Lady Lundie's criticism; briefly appears with Arnold before the dancing begins.

### Geoffrey Delamayn

Mentioned as having recently left Anne; his presence is detected by Sir Patrick through the smell of tobacco.

## Key lines

> Lady Lundie pointed significantly to the door, and addressed herself to Sir Patrick's private ear. "Observe!" she said. "Miss Silvester has just got rid of somebody."

Lady Lundie gestured toward the door and whispered to Sir Patrick, pointing out that Anne had just dismissed a visitor.

_Lady Lundie's suspicion of Anne is immediately evident as she tries to draw Sir Patrick's attention to Anne's behavior._

> "Consider me as abdicating my position, Lady Lundie, in your favor."

Sir Patrick jokingly tells Lady Lundie that he is stepping down as head of the family and leaving matters to her.

_Sir Patrick uses humor to avoid taking sides in the conflict between Lady Lundie and Anne._

> "If I can be serious about anything, it's time to be serious with you. I am convinced of the sincerity of your attachment. All I know of you is in your favor, and your birth and position are beyond dispute. If you have Blanche's consent, you have mine."

Sir Patrick tells Arnold that he believes his love is genuine, approves of his character and social standing, and gives his consent to the marriage provided Blanche agrees.

_Sir Patrick formally grants Arnold permission to marry Blanche, emphasizing the importance of social position and sincerity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters/vi-the-suitor
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters