# XII: Arnold explained — Man and Wife > Chapter companion for Man and Wife by Wilkie Collins. ## What happens Arnold and Anne Silvester are trapped together at the inn during a violent storm. Arnold tries to keep the mood light by suggesting cards, but Anne grows increasingly anxious about their compromising situation. Mr. Bishopriggs, the waiter, steals a letter Anne wrote to Blanche and hides it in his cashbox. Anne, overwhelmed by guilt and fear, resolves to confess the truth to the landlady, but is interrupted by the sound of carriage wheels arriving at the inn. ## Themes in this chapter ### Betrayal and Deception The false pretense of Arnold and Anne as a married couple deepens, and Mr. Bishopriggs steals Anne's letter, adding a layer of potential betrayal. ### Suffering and Resilience Anne's mental anguish over the deception and her struggle to maintain composure highlight her suffering and fragile resilience. ## Character check-ins ### Arnold Brinkworth Tries to cheer Anne during the storm, suggests playing cards, and remains patient despite her irritability. ### Anne Silvester Grows increasingly distressed by their false position as man and wife; resolves to confess the truth to the landlady. ### Mr. Bishopriggs Steals Anne's letter to Blanche, endorses it with a dated statement, and locks it in his cashbox hoping for a reward. ### Sir Patrick Lundie Visited Anne earlier to warn her that her presence at the inn is known at Windygates; has since left. ## Key lines > Haud yer screechin' tongue! ... Ye're waur than a woman when ye aince begin! Mr. Bishopriggs curses the bell for disturbing his toddy, comparing it unfavorably to a woman's nagging. _Shows Bishopriggs's cantankerous character and his preference for drink over duty._ > I'll do weel to keep the Doecument... Wha knows but there'll be a reward offered for it ane o' these days? Mr. Bishopriggs decides to keep the stolen letter, hoping to profit from it later. _Foreshadows the letter's future importance and Bishopriggs's mercenary nature._ > Nothing can make matters worse than they are... Nothing can justify my inflicting my own wretchedness on this kindhearted boy! Anne resigns herself to playing cards with Arnold, feeling that her misery should not burden him. _Reveals Anne's selflessness and her growing guilt over their situation._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters/xii-arnold - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters