# It Is Quite Impossible explained — Orley Farm

> Chapter companion for Orley Farm by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

After Lady Mason's confession to Sir Peregrine and Mrs. Orme, the marriage engagement is broken off, casting deep sadness over The Cleeve. Lady Mason writes to her son Lucius, who responds with relief but does not visit. Sir Peregrine is visibly broken in spirit. Meanwhile, Peregrine Orme rides to Noningsby to press his suit for Madeline Staveley, but Lady Staveley advises him to wait a year. Madeline later confides to her mother that it is 'quite impossible' for her to love Peregrine, revealing her true feelings for Felix Graham.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

The broken engagement between Lady Mason and Sir Peregrine contrasts with Madeline's refusal of Peregrine due to her love for Felix Graham, highlighting the tension between duty and personal affection.

### Truth and Deception

Lady Mason's confession to Sir Peregrine and Mrs. Orme leads to the end of the marriage, while Madeline's hidden love for Felix Graham is finally revealed to her mother.

### Reputation and Scandal

The secrecy surrounding Lady Mason's confession and the broken engagement affects the household's mood and social standing, with servants and neighbors speculating.

## Character check-ins

### Lady Mason

Writes to Lucius to inform him the marriage with Sir Peregrine is over; remains secluded at The Cleeve under Mrs. Orme's care.

### Sir Peregrine Orme

Deeply saddened and broken in spirit after the engagement is abandoned; shuts himself in his library and shows visible decline.

### Mrs. Orme

Dictates Lady Mason's letter to Lucius and provides comfort; is the intermediary between Lady Mason and Sir Peregrine.

### Young Peregrine

Rides to Noningsby to speak with Lady Staveley about his suit for Madeline; is advised to wait a year and leaves without seeing Madeline.

### Lady Staveley

Receives Peregrine at Noningsby and advises patience; later learns from Madeline that she loves Felix Graham and cannot marry Peregrine.

### Madeline Staveley

Confesses to her mother that she loves Felix Graham and that marrying Peregrine is 'quite impossible'; shows deep emotional distress.

## Key lines

> All was now sadness at The Cleeve.

The Cleeve was filled with sorrow.

_Describes the somber atmosphere after the engagement is broken._

> It is quite, quite impossible!

It is absolutely out of the question.

_Madeline's emphatic refusal to consider marrying Peregrine, revealing her love for Felix._

> I have no love to give him.

I do not have any romantic feelings for him.

_Madeline explains to her mother why she cannot accept Peregrine's suit._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/l-it-is-quite-impossible
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters