Orley Farm · Chapter
The Masons of Groby Park explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Dockwrath visits Groby Park to present Joseph Mason with evidence suggesting that the codicil to Sir Joseph Mason's will may have been fraudulent. He points out that the same witnesses, John Kenneby and Bridget Bolster, signed both the codicil and a deed of separation on the same date, a fact not brought out in the original trial. Joseph Mason, though cautious, is drawn into the scheme, driven by his hatred of Lady Mason. The chapter also introduces the miserly and selfish Mrs. Mason and the three Misses Mason, who live under her parsimonious rule.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Injustice
Dockwrath and Mason seek to overturn the codicil, believing it to be unjust, while Lady Mason's possession of Orley Farm is questioned.
Truth and Deception
The discovery of the same witnesses on both documents hints at possible deception in the original will's execution.
Family and Loyalty
Joseph Mason's hatred for Lady Mason and his willingness to pursue her despite family ties, contrasted with the dysfunctional Mason household at Groby Park.
Characters to notice
- Samuel Dockwrath
Visits Groby Park to present his discovery about the codicil's witnesses to Joseph Mason, hoping to reopen the case against Lady Mason.
- Joseph Mason of Groby
The magistrate and owner of Groby Park, who listens to Dockwrath's evidence and is tempted by the chance to ruin Lady Mason.
- Lady Mason
Referenced as the object of Joseph Mason's hatred; the codicil that gave her Orley Farm is under suspicion.
- Lucius Mason
Mentioned as Lady Mason's son, who currently holds Orley Farm under the disputed codicil.
- Mr. Usbech
Deceased lawyer whose papers Dockwrath has examined; his daughter married Dockwrath.
- John Kenneby
One of the witnesses to both the codicil and the deed of separation, noted by Dockwrath as a key figure.
- Bridget Bolster
The other witness to both the codicil and the deed of separation, whose dual signature is highlighted.
- Mrs. Mason
The parsimonious wife of Joseph Mason, who hoards food and clothes for herself while starving her family.
Key passages
“If I had it on my mind that I'd thrown over a client of mine by such carelessness as that, I'd—I'd strike my own name off the rolls; I would indeed.”
Dockwrath expresses outrage that the original lawyers failed to notice the significance of the shared witnesses, claiming he would be ashamed to continue practicing law if he had made such an error.
Dockwrath criticizes the handling of the original trial, emphasizing his own diligence.
“Parsimony was her great virtue, and a power of saving her strong point.”
Mrs. Mason's defining characteristic is her extreme frugality, which she practices at the expense of her family.
The narrator introduces Mrs. Mason's miserly nature, contrasting her self-indulgence with her neglect of others.