Man and Wife · Chapter
XLIX: The Night explained
Geoffrey Delamayn takes Anne Silvester to a cab and initially directs the driver to Fulham, but changes course to an hotel near the Great Northern Railway.
What happens
Geoffrey Delamayn takes Anne Silvester to a cab and initially directs the driver to Fulham, but changes course to an hotel near the Great Northern Railway. He consults his lawyer Mr. Moy, who refuses further involvement and provides the address of Bishopriggs and Mrs. Inchbare. Geoffrey then takes Anne to a cottage in Fulham, where he declares before witnesses that he does not forgive her and that they will live separately. Anne is shown to a room by Hester Dethridge, who warns her that Geoffrey will try her. Later, Geoffrey meets with another lawyer who explains that his plan to divorce Anne by accusing her of impropriety with Arnold Brinkworth is legally untenable, leaving him trapped in the marriage. He reads Mrs. Glenarm's letter and, in despair, contemplates how to free himself.
Themes in this chapter
Marriage and Its Legal Bonds
Geoffrey's desperate attempt to divorce Anne and his realization that the law binds them together for life, despite his desire to be free.
Betrayal and Deception
Geoffrey's scheme to falsely accuse Anne of impropriety with Arnold Brinkworth, and his secret plotting to escape the marriage.
Gender and Power
Geoffrey's control over Anne, his declaration of non-forgiveness, and his attempt to manipulate legal and social systems to his advantage.
Characters to notice
- Geoffrey Delamayn
Takes Anne to Fulham, consults lawyers, declares he does not forgive her, and later despairs at being unable to divorce her.
- Anne Silvester
Exhausted and faint, she is taken to Fulham, given a separate room, and warned by Hester Dethridge about Geoffrey's intentions.
- Hester Dethridge
Serves as a witness to Geoffrey's declaration, shows Anne to her room, and warns her that Geoffrey will try her.
- Mr. Moy
Geoffrey's lawyer who refuses further involvement and provides the address of Bishopriggs and Mrs. Inchbare.
- Arnold Brinkworth
Mentioned as the co-respondent in Geoffrey's failed divorce scheme.
Key passages
“He opened the door, and signed to Anne to enter the vehicle. She obeyed him mechanically.”
Geoffrey gestured for Anne to get into the cab, and she complied without thinking.
Shows Anne's exhaustion and submission to Geoffrey's control.
“I have brought her here—having no other place in which I can trust her to be—to wait the issue of proceedings, undertaken in defense of my own honor and good name.”
Geoffrey explains that he brought Anne to this house because he has nowhere else to keep her safe while he works to protect his reputation.
Reveals Geoffrey's self-serving justification and his view of Anne as a problem to be managed.
“Fastened to her for life—and the law powerless to cut the knot.”
He was bound to her permanently, and the law could not sever their union.
Highlights Geoffrey's despair at being trapped in the marriage.