# Chapter XVII explained — Miss Marjoribanks

> Chapter companion for Miss Marjoribanks by Margaret Oliphant.

## What happens

Lucilla recruits Rose Lake to fill Barbara's place at her Thursday evening gathering after Barbara's refusal to attend due to Mr. Cavendish's departure. Rose, though conflicted, accepts the responsibility, viewing it as a duty to exemplify the artist's role in society. Meanwhile, the community speculates about Mr. Cavendish's sudden disappearance, with theories ranging from his entanglement with Barbara to financial troubles. Mrs. Chiley reflects on the Archdeacon's arrival and his impact on Carlingford society.

## Themes in this chapter

### Performance and Appearance

Rose Lake grapples with the tension between her artistic principles and the practical need to choose an outfit for the Thursday gathering, highlighting the societal pressure to maintain appearances.

### Community and Gossip

The community's speculation about Mr. Cavendish's sudden departure—whether due to his entanglement with Barbara Lake or financial troubles—illustrates the pervasive gossip and social scrutiny in Carlingford.

### Practicality vs. Romance

Rose's pragmatic and principled approach to Barbara's romantic disappointment contrasts with Barbara's emotional collapse, emphasizing the conflict between practical duty and romantic sentiment.

## Character check-ins

### Lucilla Marjoribanks

Recruits Rose Lake to replace Barbara at her Thursday gathering, demonstrating her strategic social planning and confidence in her own abilities.

### Rose Lake

Accepts Lucilla's invitation to attend the Thursday evening, viewing it as a duty to uphold the artist's principles despite her nervousness about what to wear.

### Barbara Lake

Refuses to attend Lucilla's gathering due to her distress over Mr. Cavendish's departure, leading to a confrontation with Rose about pride and duty.

### Mrs. Chiley

Reflects on the Archdeacon's arrival and his lack of tact in attending Lucilla's Thursday on his first night, while still regretting Mr. Cavendish's absence.

### Mr. Cavendish

His sudden disappearance is the subject of much speculation in Carlingford, with theories ranging from his entanglement with Barbara Lake to financial troubles.

### Archdeacon Beverley

Arrives in Carlingford and attends Lucilla's Thursday gathering, causing some social friction due to his timing and progressive views.

## Key lines

> You made such a pretty little wreath for the corner of my handkerchief⁠—don’t you remember?⁠—all frogs’ legs and things. It looked so sweet in the old satin stitch.

Lucilla reminds Rose of a decorative wreath she once embroidered on a handkerchief, using frogs' legs as a motif, which looked charming in satin stitch.

_Lucilla uses a shared memory to soften her request for Rose to replace Barbara at the gathering._

> When people have not a sense of duty,” said Rose, with an indignant sigh, “nor any proper pride⁠—Some are so different. Barbara ought to have been some rich person’s daughter, with nothing to do. She would not mind being of no use in the world.

Rose criticizes Barbara's lack of duty and pride, suggesting she would be better suited to a life of idle wealth where her uselessness would not matter.

_Rose expresses her frustration with Barbara's refusal to fulfill her social obligations due to romantic disappointment._

> I do not ask you to have a sense of duty,” Rose said, with a certain fine disdain, “but at least you might have a proper pride.

Rose tells Barbara that even if she lacks a sense of duty, she should at least have enough pride to not show her distress.

_Rose confronts Barbara about her behavior after Mr. Cavendish's departure, emphasizing pride over emotional display._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters/xvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/miss_marjoribanks_se/chapters