# How Can I Save Him? explained — Orley Farm

> Chapter companion for Orley Farm by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Mr. Furnival receives a letter from Lady Mason explaining her engagement to Sir Peregrine and her desire to break it off. After a tense domestic scene with Mrs. Furnival, Lady Mason visits his chambers in distress, revealing her deep anxiety for her son Lucius and her resolve to end the engagement to protect Sir Peregrine.

## Themes in this chapter

### Truth and Deception

Lady Mason's letter and visit reveal her hidden motives and the tension between her public engagement and private resolve to break it.

### Reputation and Scandal

Mr. Furnival fears the scandal of Lady Mason marrying Sir Peregrine; Mrs. Furnival's jealousy threatens household reputation.

### Gender and Power

Mr. Furnival's inability to control his wife's actions and Lady Mason's reliance on male protectors highlight gender dynamics.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Furnival

Receives Lady Mason's letter, faces marital strife with Mrs. Furnival, and meets with Lady Mason in his chambers.

### Lady Mason

Visits Mr. Furnival's chambers, dressed in deep mourning, trembling and distressed; expresses her resolve to break off the engagement with Sir Peregrine out of concern for him and her son.

### Mrs. Furnival

Confronts Mr. Furnival, refuses to live with him, and leaves the drawing-room; sends a message that she will not come down to breakfast.

### Sir Peregrine Orme

Mentioned as the man Lady Mason is engaged to; she is determined to break the engagement to protect him.

### Lucius Mason

Lady Mason's son; her anxiety for him is a key reason for her distress.

### Martha Biggs

Mentioned as Mrs. Furnival's chief lieutenant; sends a message through the servant.

## Key lines

> I will not consent to live with you while such deeds as these are being done.

Mrs. Furnival declares she will no longer cohabit with her husband due to his involvement with Lady Mason.

_This ultimatum sets the stage for the marital crisis in the chapter._

> I do not wish to marry him. I have resolved to tell him so.

Lady Mason states her intention to break off the engagement with Sir Peregrine.

_She confides this to Mr. Furnival, revealing her inner conflict._

> My boy!

Lady Mason cries out in anguish over her son Lucius.

_Her maternal fear is a central emotional driver in the scene._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xli-how-can-i-save-him
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters