# XXX: Regrets explained — Phineas Redux

> Chapter companion for Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Madame Goesler reflects on her three years spent caring for the old Duke of Omnium, questioning the sincerity of their friendship and the cost to her own youth and happiness. She resolves to refuse the jewels and money left to her, wanting no reward that might suggest she served for gain. In London, she receives a visit from Mr. Maule, who praises the late Duke, and then Phineas Finn, with whom she shares a more intimate conversation about her relief and loss. Later, she firmly resists the new Duke's attempts to make her accept the legacy, insisting on her right to refuse.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Madame Goesler questions whether her devotion to the old Duke was genuine love or wasted sacrifice, and whether her refusal of the legacy is a final act of integrity.

### Social Class and Money

The legacy of jewels and money underscores the intersection of wealth and social standing; Madame Goesler's refusal is a statement about not being bought or defined by material gain.

### The Cost of Ambition

Madame Goesler reflects on the three years she 'wasted' in service to the Duke, realizing that her pursuit of a certain social position came at the expense of her own happiness and youth.

## Character check-ins

### Madame Max Goesler

Reflects on her years with the old Duke, feeling they were wasted; resolves to refuse the legacy; converses with Mr. Maule and Phineas Finn; argues with the new Duke about the jewels.

### Phineas Finn

Visits Madame Goesler in London; offers condolences on the Duke's death; shares a warm, intimate moment with her.

### Mr. Maule Senior

Visits Madame Goesler; praises the late Duke's character and laments the loss of aristocratic grace; mentions his son Gerard.

### Plantagenet Palliser

Now the Duke of Omnium; attempts to persuade Madame Goesler to accept the legacy, arguing the seriousness of the will; is resisted.

### Duchess of Omnium

Lady Glencora; supports Madame Goesler's decision to refuse the legacy; tells her husband that he cannot force her to accept it.

## Key lines

> She had told Phineas Finn, while riding home with him from Broughton Spinnies, that she had clung to the Duke because she loved him, but what had there been to produce such love?

She had claimed to Phineas that she stayed with the Duke out of love, but now she wonders what real basis there was for that feeling.

_Madame Goesler's internal doubt about the sincerity of her attachment to the old Duke._

> She would take nothing that should justify any man in saying that she had been enriched by her acquaintance with the Duke of Omnium.

She refuses to accept anything that might allow anyone to claim she profited from knowing the Duke.

_Her determination to avoid any appearance of mercenary motives._

> To refuse money in such circumstances was almost like refusing rain from heaven, or warmth from the sun. It could not be done.

The new Duke thinks refusing an inheritance is as unnatural as rejecting basic elements of nature.

_Plantagenet Palliser's view of the inviolability of a will and property._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxx-regrets
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/phineas_redux_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters