# The Last of the Lawyers explained — Orley Farm

> Chapter companion for Orley Farm by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

After the verdict, Mr. Dockwrath confronts Joseph Mason about unpaid costs, blaming the failure on Mason's reliance on London attorneys. Mason refuses to pay directly, insisting Dockwrath submit his bill to Mr. Round. Meanwhile, Mr. Furnival reconciles with his wife, and Sophia Furnival receives a letter from Lucius Mason announcing he will give up Orley Farm. She responds with a letter ending their romantic engagement, citing his changed circumstances. Lucius, devastated, burns her letter and plans to go abroad with his mother.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Ambition

Lucius Mason's loss of Orley Farm and his subsequent poverty lead to the end of his engagement to Sophia Furnival, highlighting how social standing and ambition influence personal relationships.

### Truth and Deception

The chapter explores the aftermath of the trial, with characters like Sophia and Joseph Mason drawing conclusions about Lady Mason's guilt based on Lucius's decision to give up the property.

### Love and Marriage

Sophia Furnival's letter to Lucius Mason demonstrates how practical considerations and social status override romantic feelings in marriage decisions.

## Character check-ins

### Samuel Dockwrath

Confronts Joseph Mason about unpaid costs, blaming the failure on Mason's adherence to London attorneys.

### Joseph Mason of Groby

Refuses to pay Dockwrath directly, insisting he submit his bill to Mr. Round.

### Mr. Furnival

Enjoys domestic peace with his wife after the trial; refuses to have Joseph Mason as a client.

### Mrs. Furnival

Reconciled with her husband; expresses gladness at Lady Mason's acquittal.

### Sophia Furnival

Receives Lucius Mason's letter and writes a polite rejection, ending their romantic engagement.

### Lucius Mason

Writes to Sophia announcing he will give up Orley Farm; burns her rejection letter and plans to go abroad with his mother.

## Key lines

> I should have done my duty by you, Mr. Mason, which those men have not, and you would at this moment have been the owner of Orley Farm.

Dockwrath claims he would have secured the property for Mason if Mason had followed his advice instead of the London lawyers.

_Dockwrath blames the loss on Mason's choice of legal counsel._

> I am bound to relinquish to my brother-in-law my title to Orley Farm.

Lucius states he must give up his claim to Orley Farm to his brother.

_Lucius's decision to surrender the property is a key plot point._

> My feelings of friendship for you⁠—of affectionate friendship⁠—will be as true as ever.

Sophia reassures Lucius of her continued friendship while ending their romantic engagement.

_Sophia's letter diplomatically ends the relationship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/lxxviii-the-last-of-the-lawyers
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters