# Dropped explained — Man and Wife

> Chapter companion for Man and Wife by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

Sir Patrick and Arnold discuss Anne Silvester's disappearance and Blanche's distress. Sir Patrick decides to stop pursuing Anne for Blanche's sake and instead focuses on hastening Blanche and Arnold's marriage. He dictates a letter to the lawyer and prepares to confront Lady Lundie for her consent.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Ambition

The marriage arrangements emphasize the importance of social standing and legal propriety in Victorian society.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Arnold's silence to protect Anne's reputation and Blanche's happiness demonstrates loyalty despite personal cost.

## Character check-ins

### Sir Patrick Lundie

Decides to drop the search for Anne Silvester to protect Blanche's health, and begins arranging Blanche's marriage to Arnold.

### Arnold Brinkworth

Eager to marry Blanche, but remains silent about his knowledge of Anne's situation due to loyalty and honor.

### Blanche Lundie

Suffers a nervous attack after learning of Anne's disappearance and the failure to trace her.

### Lady Lundie

Blanche's stepmother, whose consent must be sought for the marriage; Sir Patrick anticipates difficulty with her.

## Key lines

> I shall give up all further effort to trace her from this moment.

Sir Patrick decides to abandon the search for Anne.

_He prioritizes Blanche's health over solving the mystery._

> I hereby give every blessed farthing I have got in the world to my dear Blanche.

Arnold jokingly offers to give all his wealth to Blanche in a simple marriage settlement.

_His naivety about legal formalities contrasts with Sir Patrick's experience._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters/xxvi-dropped
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/man_and_wife_se/chapters