# Showing How Lady Mason Could Be Very Noble explained — Orley Farm

> Chapter companion for Orley Farm by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Lady Mason returns to The Cleeve after visiting Mr. Furnival, and resolves to break off her engagement with Sir Peregrine to avoid bringing scandal upon him. Sir Peregrine, despite remonstrances from Lord Alston, remains steadfast in his intention to marry her. Lady Staveley calls, and Sir Peregrine informs her of the engagement, hoping the connection will aid Lady Mason. Lady Mason confides in Mrs. Orme her decision to end the engagement, fearing the trial will bring disgrace. Mrs. Orme struggles with her own conscience, torn between loyalty to Sir Peregrine and her son's objections.

## Themes in this chapter

### Reputation and Scandal

Sir Peregrine's marriage to Lady Mason is seen as risking family disgrace; Lord Alston warns of the effect on young Peregrine's prospects.

### Family and Loyalty

Lady Mason's decision to break the engagement is driven by loyalty to Sir Peregrine and his family; Mrs. Orme's loyalty is torn between her father-in-law and her son.

### Love and Marriage

The engagement between Sir Peregrine and Lady Mason is tested by external pressures; Lady Mason's noble sacrifice contrasts with Sir Peregrine's determination.

## Character check-ins

### Lady Mason

Resolves to break off her engagement with Sir Peregrine to protect him from scandal; confides in Mrs. Orme.

### Sir Peregrine Orme

Defends his intention to marry Lady Mason against Lord Alston's remonstrances; informs Lady Staveley of the engagement.

### Mrs. Orme

Struggles with her conscience over the engagement; supports Lady Mason emotionally but does not dissuade her from ending it.

### Young Peregrine

Begins to think his grandfather's marriage might facilitate his own; still uneasy about the connection.

### Lady Staveley

Visits The Cleeve to call on Lady Mason; learns of the engagement and feels it complicates hopes for a match between Madeline and young Peregrine.

### Lord Alston

Remonstrates with Sir Peregrine about the marriage, warning of the disgrace it may bring.

## Key lines

> I will do it immediately after breakfast.

Lady Mason resolves to break off her engagement with Sir Peregrine right after breakfast the next morning.

_Demonstrates her determination to act on her promise to Mr. Furnival and Peregrine._

> Lord Alston had remonstrated about the marriage, using at last very strong language to dissuade the baronet from a step which he thought so unfortunate; but he had remonstrated altogether in vain.

Lord Alston argued forcefully against the marriage, but Sir Peregrine remained unmoved.

_Highlights Sir Peregrine's stubbornness and the social pressure against the union._

> The prominent thought in Lady Mason's mind as she returned to her own room was this:—that Mrs. Orme had said no word to dissuade her from the line of conduct which she had proposed to herself.

Lady Mason realized that Mrs. Orme's silence implied agreement with her decision to end the engagement.

_Shows Lady Mason's interpretation of Mrs. Orme's emotional restraint._

## Links

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