Another Fall explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Marriage

  Peregrine's proposal to Madeline and the family's concern over her potential attachment to Felix highlight the complexities of love and marriage in Victorian society.

• Reputation and Scandal

  Mrs. Arbuthnot warns Madeline about appearing too concerned for Felix, fearing gossip and damage to reputation.

Characters to notice

• Young Peregrine

  Resolves to propose to Madeline Staveley before leaving Noningsby; declares his love to her.

• Madeline Staveley

  Receives Peregrine's proposal with surprise; is cautioned by her sister about her concern for Felix Graham.

• Felix Graham

  Recovering from his accident; his condition improves, prompting Peregrine to act.

• Lady Staveley

  Observes her daughter's solicitude for Felix and approves of Peregrine as a potential son-in-law.

• Marian Arbuthnot

  Warns Madeline about being too demonstrative in her concern for Felix.

• Sophia Furnival

  Mentioned as someone who might gossip about Madeline's attention to Felix.

Key passages

• “I shall be leaving Noningsby tomorrow, Miss Staveley... It will depend entirely upon you whether I may have the happiness of returning soon to Noningsby.”

  Peregrine tells Madeline he is leaving and implies that his return depends on her acceptance of his proposal.

  Peregrine's proposal is framed as a condition for his return.

• “I think mamma would be more comfortable in his remaining here if your charity towards him were—what shall I say?—less demonstrative.”

  Mrs. Arbuthnot suggests that Madeline's visible concern for Felix might make her mother uneasy.

  A sisterly warning about social appearances.