The Duchess Takes Counsel explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Justice and Injustice

  The chapter explores the tension between legal procedure and public perception of guilt or innocence.

• Scandal and Public Opinion

  The Duchess attempts to use Phineas's popularity to influence the trial outcome.

• Friendship and Loyalty

  The Duchess and Madame Goesler demonstrate fierce loyalty to Phineas, seeking to save him.

Characters to notice

• Phineas Finn

  Committed to Newgate for the murder of Mr. Bonteen; confined with the glory of a State prisoner.

• Duchess of Omnium

  Takes counsel with Mr. Low; insists on Phineas's innocence and plans to visit him in prison.

• Madame Max Goesler

  Joins the Duchess in consulting Mr. Low; suggests investigating Mr. Emilius's past.

• Mr. Low

  Phineas's lawyer; advises against the Duchess visiting the prison without the Duke's consent.

• Mr. Emilius

  Suspected but released due to lack of evidence and an alibi.

• Lord Fawn

  Testified to seeing a man in a grey coat near the scene of the murder.

• Mr. Bonteen

  The murder victim; his death is the central event of the chapter.

• Plantagenet Palliser

  The younger Duke; cautions the Duchess against misdirected enthusiasm.

Key passages

• “I do not think that in my time any innocent man has ever lost his life upon the scaffold.”

  The elder Duke suggests that no innocent person has been executed in his experience.

  The Duke of St. Bungay expresses confidence in the justice system.

• “If that man be hung—I shall go into mourning for him. You had better look to it.”

  The Duchess threatens to mourn publicly if Phineas is executed, pressuring her husband.

  The Duchess uses emotional leverage to advocate for Phineas.