# How Am I to Bear It? explained — Orley Farm

> Chapter companion for Orley Farm by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

After the first day of the trial, Lady Mason and Mrs. Orme return to Orley Farm. Lady Mason struggles to maintain composure in front of her son Lucius, who remains unaware of her guilt. That night, Lady Mason breaks down before Mrs. Orme, confessing her guilt and fearing Lucius's reaction. Mrs. Orme offers to tell Lucius the truth, but Lady Mason refuses. Meanwhile, Peregrine Orme begins to doubt Lady Mason's innocence, and Lucius writes a letter to Sophia Furnival expressing his distress.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth and Deception

Lady Mason's concealed guilt and the growing suspicion among characters like Peregrine Orme highlight the tension between public appearance and private truth.

### Family and Loyalty

Lady Mason's fear of losing her son's love and Lucius's unwavering trust in his mother underscore the bonds of family loyalty, even in the face of potential betrayal.

## Character check-ins

### Lady Mason

Struggles to maintain composure after the first day of trial; breaks down before Mrs. Orme, confessing her guilt and fearing her son's reaction.

### Mrs. Orme

Stays with Lady Mason at Orley Farm; offers comfort and proposes to tell Lucius the truth, but Lady Mason refuses.

### Lucius Mason

Remains unaware of his mother's guilt; feels dissatisfied with the trial proceedings and writes a letter to Sophia Furnival expressing his distress.

### Young Peregrine

Begins to doubt Lady Mason's innocence after hearing the solicitor-general's statement; returns to The Cleeve and is instructed by his mother not to discuss the trial with Sir Peregrine.

### Sir Peregrine Orme

Anxiously awaits news of the trial; is advised by Mrs. Orme not to be troubled with details.

### Sophia Furnival

Receives a letter from Lucius; has decided not to write to him until the trial is over, and considers a correspondence with the heir of Noningsby more to her taste.

## Key lines

> How is it you can bear with such a one as I am? How is it that you do not hate me for my guilt?

Lady Mason asks Mrs. Orme how she can tolerate someone as guilty as herself, and why she does not despise her.

_Lady Mason's confession and plea for acceptance._

> I wish he knew it, and was away, so that he might never look at me again.

Lady Mason expresses a desire for her son to know the truth but to be far away so she never has to face his gaze.

_Lady Mason's fear of her son's reaction to her guilt._

## Links

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