# XXXIX explained — Miss Marjoribanks

> Chapter companion for Miss Marjoribanks by Margaret Oliphant.

## What happens

Lucilla resolves to support Mr. Ashburton after critically evaluating Mr. Cavendish's sentimental address. She visits Mrs. Chiley, who is eager for news of Mr. Cavendish's return, but Lucilla pleads ignorance. Later, she encounters Mrs. Woodburn, who is anxious about her brother's election campaign and hints at Lucilla's potential marriage. Lucilla returns home to care for Aunt Jemima, discussing Tom, while her advocacy for Mr. Ashburton gains traction in Grange Lane.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Ambition and Control

Lucilla strategically advocates for Mr. Ashburton, using her social influence to sway opinion in Grange Lane, demonstrating her ambition to control the election outcome.

### Performance and Appearance

Lucilla maintains a cheerful and composed exterior despite the political maneuvering, while Mrs. Woodburn hides her domestic anxieties behind a facade of social engagement.

### Practicality vs. Romance

Lucilla dismisses Mr. Cavendish's sentimental appeal as 'humbug,' prioritizing practical considerations over emotional rhetoric in her political support.

## Character check-ins

### Lucilla Marjoribanks

Resolves to support Mr. Ashburton after dismissing Mr. Cavendish's sentimental appeal; visits Mrs. Chiley and Mrs. Woodburn; returns home to care for Aunt Jemima.

### Mrs. Chiley

Now very old and feeble, reclines on a sofa by the fire; eagerly awaits news of Mr. Cavendish's return but is disappointed by Lucilla's lack of information.

### Colonel Chiley

Present with Mrs. Chiley; gives a humph in protest at her sentiment about the poor; later echoes Lucilla's opinion on Mr. Ashburton.

### Mrs. Woodburn

Encountered by Lucilla in the snow; anxious about her brother's election and hints at Lucilla's marriage; reflects wistfully on Lucilla's independence.

### Aunt Jemima

An invalid who breakfasts in her room; Lucilla cares for her and listens to her talk about Tom.

### Mr. Ashburton

Lucilla's chosen candidate; she advocates for him as 'the man for Carlingford'.

## Key lines

> He might have been living here all the time; he might have had much stronger claims upon our affections; if he had wanted, he might have come back ages ago, and not let people struggle on alone.

Lucilla reasons that Mr. Cavendish could have returned to Carlingford at any time, so his sentimental appeal about rushing back is insincere.

_Lucilla rationalizes her support for Mr. Ashburton by dismissing Mr. Cavendish's pathos._

> I felt sure you would come and tell us everything. I said it would not be like Lucilla if she didn't.

Mrs. Chiley expects Lucilla to share all the news about Mr. Cavendish's return.

_Highlights Mrs. Chiley's reliance on Lucilla as a source of information and gossip._

> Ah, if Harry had only not been such a fool ten years ago!

Mrs. Woodburn regrets that her brother Harry did not marry Lucilla a decade earlier.

_Reveals Mrs. Woodburn's wistful reflection on missed opportunities for Lucilla's marriage._

## Links

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