# X: Mr. Bishopriggs explained — Man and Wife

> Chapter companion for Man and Wife by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

Arnold Brinkworth and Anne Silvester, stranded at an inn during a storm, are forced to pose as husband and wife to avoid scandal. The landlady, Mistress Inchbare, presses Anne to confirm the relationship, and Anne reluctantly agrees. Mr. Bishopriggs, the waiter, adds comic and intrusive commentary, while news arrives that Sir Patrick Lundie is approaching the inn, causing alarm. Anne fears the consequences of the deception, especially for Blanche.

## Themes in this chapter

### Betrayal and Deception

Anne and Arnold's forced deception—pretending to be married—creates a web of lies that threatens to unravel, especially with Sir Patrick's arrival.

### Hypocrisy of Society

Mistress Inchbare's insistence on marital status to protect the inn's reputation reflects societal hypocrisy that prioritizes appearances over truth.

## Character check-ins

### Anne Silvester

Forced to pose as Arnold's wife under pressure from the landlady; anxious and resentful of the deception.

### Arnold Brinkworth

Improvises the husband-and-wife ruse to protect Anne's reputation; tries to keep up appearances.

### Mr. Bishopriggs

The waiter who intrudes with comic familiarity, delays the dinner, and delivers news of Sir Patrick's arrival.

### Mistress Inchbare

The landlady who insists on verifying Anne's marital status to protect the inn's reputation.

### Sir Patrick Lundie

Mentioned as approaching the inn, causing alarm for Anne and Arnold.

## Key lines

> White and cold, her eyes never moving from the table, she accepted the landlady’s implied correction, and faintly repeated the words: “My husband.”

Anne, pale and frozen, stared at the table and quietly echoed the landlady's phrase, 'My husband,' without looking up.

_Highlights Anne's reluctant submission to the deception under social pressure._

> “A curse seems to follow me!” she thought, bitterly. “This will end ill⁠—and I shall be answerable for it!”

Anne bitterly felt that misfortune dogged her, and she feared the situation would end badly, with her bearing the blame.

_Reveals Anne's growing dread and sense of personal responsibility for the unfolding complications._

> “Eh! it’s joost addin’ ten years to the age o’ the wine. The turtledoves will be nane the waur⁠—and I mysel’ am a glass o’ sherry the better. Praise Providence for a’ its maircies!”

Mr. Bishopriggs justified watering down the sherry by claiming it aged the wine, while he himself enjoyed a glass, thanking Providence.

_Illustrates Mr. Bishopriggs's comic dishonesty and self-serving nature._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters/x-mr-bishopriggs
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters