Miss Marjoribanks · Chapter
Chapter XXVII explained
Lucilla is preoccupied with her plans regarding Mr.
What happens
Lucilla is preoccupied with her plans regarding Mr. Cavendish and Barbara Lake, and is determined to confront Mr. Cavendish about the situation. At dinner, Dr. Marjoribanks is disturbed by a letter from Tom Marjoribanks in India, who has suffered misfortunes and needs money. Lucilla feels a moment of discouragement but rallies, finding comfort in Tom's faith in her. Later, Mrs. Mortimer visits, anxious about the Archdeacon, and Lucilla manages to soothe her.
Themes in this chapter
Self-Perception and Ego
Lucilla's sense of superiority and her view of herself as a woman of genius who must bear the burdens of others is central to the chapter.
Community and Gossip
The chapter deals with Lucilla's awareness of social dynamics and her determination to manage the affairs of those around her, including Mr. Cavendish and Mrs. Mortimer.
Practicality vs. Romance
Lucilla's rational view of Mr. Cavendish's behavior contrasts with the romantic entanglements she observes, and she prioritizes practical intervention over emotional understanding.
Characters to notice
- Miss Marjoribanks
Occupied with her plans regarding Mr. Cavendish and Barbara Lake; feels a moment of discouragement but rallies, finding comfort in Tom's faith.
- Dr. Marjoribanks
Fractious and disturbed after receiving a letter from Tom asking for money; later becomes unexpectedly civil to Mrs. Mortimer.
- Tom Marjoribanks
Writes from India about being wrecked and losing his boxes; asks his uncle to sell out funds; Lucilla finds comfort in his belief in her.
- Mrs. Mortimer
Visits Lucilla, anxious about the Archdeacon; feels ashamed when Lucilla sees through her preoccupation; is soothed by Lucilla.
- Mr. Cavendish
Lucilla plans to confront him about his secret meetings with Barbara Lake.
- Barbara Lake
Implied to be meeting Mr. Cavendish in the evenings, which Lucilla finds puzzling.
Key passages
“She could not conceive—for Lucilla naturally took a reasonable view of affairs in general, and did not account for the action of any such unknown quantity as love, for example—why Mr. Cavendish should conceal himself so carefully from society in Carlingford, and yet run all the risk of meeting Barbara Lake in the evenings.”
Lucilla, being practical, could not understand why Mr. Cavendish would hide from society but still risk meeting Barbara Lake at night, as she did not factor in love as a motive.
Highlights Lucilla's rational nature and her difficulty understanding romantic impulses.
“It was a sublime moment. The idea of giving them up, and leaving their affairs to their own guidance, never for an instant penetrated into her heroic mind; but she was human, and naturally she felt the prick of ingratitude.”
In a moment of discouragement, Lucilla never considered abandoning her plans for others, though she felt hurt by their lack of gratitude.
Emphasizes Lucilla's heroic self-image and her struggle with feeling unappreciated.
“She said 'Poor Tom!' and felt as if for the moment she had something to lean on, and was comforted.”
Lucilla found comfort in thinking of Tom's faith in her, even though he was far away and unlucky.
Shows Lucilla's reliance on Tom's loyalty as emotional support.