Man and Wife · Chapter
Chapter VII explained
Five years after the death of his deserted wife, Mr.
What happens
Five years after the death of his deserted wife, Mr. Vanborough, now wealthy and well-connected but socially stagnant and embittered, visits the villa where he once lived with the woman he wronged. He stands silently on the spot where he last saw her, then leaves. Meanwhile, Mr. Delamayn rises steadily in politics, becoming Solicitor-General, Attorney-General, and finally Baron Holchester of Holchester. Vanborough, unable to advance, reads of Delamayn's peerage and later commits suicide.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Ambition
Mr. Delamayn's steady rise from lawyer to peer contrasts with Mr. Vanborough's stagnation despite wealth and connections, highlighting the capricious nature of social advancement.
Suffering and Resilience
Mr. Vanborough's return to the villa and his subsequent suicide illustrate the enduring psychological torment and lack of resilience following his past cruelty.
Hypocrisy of Society
Society rewards Delamayn's success while Vanborough, though wealthy, is isolated and disliked, revealing the superficiality of social acceptance.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Vanborough
Visits the villa where he once lived with the woman he wronged, stands on the spot where he last saw her, and later commits suicide after reading of Delamayn's peerage.
- Julius Delamayn
Mentioned as one of the sons of Mr. Delamayn, at college when their father rises to prominence.
- Geoffrey Delamayn
Mentioned as one of the sons of Mr. Delamayn, at college when their father rises to prominence.
- Lord Holchester
Mr. Delamayn is elevated to the peerage as Baron Holchester of Holchester.
Key passages
“He walked straight to a certain spot on the carpet, not far from the window that led into the garden, and nearly opposite the door. On that spot he stood silently, with his head on his breast—thinking.”
He went directly to a specific place on the floor near the garden window, across from the door, and stood there in silence, head bowed, lost in thought.
Vanborough revisits the exact spot where he last saw the woman he wronged, showing his lingering guilt.
“The London Gazette announced him to the world as Baron Holchester of Holchester.”
The official government newspaper proclaimed his new title as Baron Holchester of Holchester.
Delamayn's elevation to the peerage is formally announced, marking his social triumph.
“He laid the newspaper aside without making any remark, and went out.”
He put down the paper without a word and left the house.
Vanborough's silent reaction to Delamayn's peerage foreshadows his despair and suicide.