# Dinner at the Cleeve explained — Orley Farm

> Chapter companion for Orley Farm by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Lady Mason and Lucius dine at The Cleeve, where Lady Mason seeks to strengthen her friendship with Mrs. Orme and secure Sir Peregrine's favor, while Lucius struggles with his democratic ideals in the aristocratic setting.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Ambition

Lucius's internal conflict between democratic ideals and the awe inspired by the Ormes' rank; Lady Mason's careful cultivation of Sir Peregrine's favor.

### Family and Loyalty

Lady Mason's fear of losing Lucius to marriage; Mrs. Orme's devotion to Sir Peregrine and her son.

## Character check-ins

### Lady Mason

Anxious about her friendship with Sir Peregrine and Mrs. Orme; asks Lucius to be forbearing with Sir Peregrine.

### Lucius Mason

Reluctantly agrees to be forbearing; feels awed by the Ormes despite his democratic principles.

### Sir Peregrine Orme

Hosts the dinner; intends to lecture Lucius on farming; shows majesty and authority.

### Mrs. Orme

Desires friendship with Lady Mason; speaks of loneliness and hopes for Peregrine's early marriage.

### Young Peregrine

Converses about hunting and farming; encourages Lucius to hunt.

## Key lines

> Lucius, my dear, I want you to do me a great favour... It is that you will bear with Sir Peregrine tonight.

Lady Mason asks Lucius to be patient and not contradict Sir Peregrine during dinner.

_Shows Lady Mason's anxiety about maintaining Sir Peregrine's goodwill._

> It is always so in England... Sir Peregrine is a man of family, and a baronet; of course all the world, the world of Hamworth that is, should bow down at his feet.

Lucius sarcastically criticizes the deference shown to Sir Peregrine due to his title.

_Highlights Lucius's democratic resentment of social hierarchy._

> I also am very much alone, though perhaps not so much as you are, Lady Mason.

Mrs. Orme expresses her own loneliness, comparing it to Lady Mason's.

_Reveals Mrs. Orme's desire for a close friendship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xiv-dinner-at-the-cleeve
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters