XXXII: Lovemaking explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Marriage and Ambition

  Phoebe views Clarence as a 'Career' rather than a 'Passion,' weighing the social struggle of marrying above her station. Clarence sees Phoebe as a practical asset for his political and social ambitions.

• Social Class and Mobility

  Phoebe reflects on her grandfather's deference to wealth and her own origins in the butter-shop, recognizing the class barriers she would face if she married Clarence.

• Love and Selfishness

  Ursula's innocent discovery of love contrasts with Phoebe's calculated assessment. Clarence's jealousy and Reginald's infatuation are driven by self-interest as much as affection.

Characters to notice

• Phoebe Tozer

  Phoebe is courted by both Reginald May and Clarence Copperhead. She coolly assesses Clarence as a 'Career' rather than a 'Passion,' and decides that if she marries him, the match must be successful despite the social gulf.

• Ursula May

  Ursula discovers Mr. Northcote's love for her in the darkness under a laurel bush, without any declaration. She is startled, touched, and full of wonder, but does not think of a response.

• Clarence Copperhead

  Clarence is making up his mind to propose to Phoebe, driven by jealousy of Reginald May and practical considerations: she would save him trouble, coach him for parliament, and outshine others in society.

• Reginald May

  Reginald is clearly in love with Phoebe, following her closely in the garden and resenting Clarence's interruptions. Phoebe sees him as young and simple, vulnerable to folly.

• Janey

  Janey watches the lovemaking from the steps, feeling left out. She notices Mrs. Hurst spying and is torn between family loyalty and a desire to gossip with her.

• Mrs. Sam Hurst

  Mrs. Hurst has returned to Carlingford and spies on the young people from her window, opening it slightly to hear better. Janey spots her.

Key passages

• “It was the moment when Ursula discovered all in the darkness, when the moon was under that cloud, what Mr. Northcote meant . It flashed upon her like a sudden light, though they were standing in the shade of a great laurel. He did not make any declaration, nor say a word that she could remember. And yet all at once, by some magic which is not explainable, she found out that that was what he was meaning.”

  In the dark under a laurel bush, Ursula suddenly understood Mr. Northcote's feelings for her, even though he never spoke a word of love.

  Ursula's silent epiphany about Northcote's love.

• “He would be a Career, but he was not a Passion, she said to herself with a smile; and if the struggle should not turn out successful on her part, it would involve a kind of ruin, not to herself only, but to all concerned. What, then, was she to do? The only thing Phoebe decided upon was that, if she did enter upon that struggle, it must be successful.”

  Phoebe saw Clarence as a practical opportunity rather than a romantic love, and resolved that if she married him, she would make sure the match succeeded despite the social risks.

  Phoebe's pragmatic view of marriage as a career move.

• “She would save him worlds of trouble; save his money even, for coaches and that sort of thing cost money; and then that fellow May would be out of it; his nose would be put out of joint.”

  Clarence thought Phoebe would be a useful wife who could coach him for parliament and save him money, while also getting rid of his rival Reginald.

  Clarence's calculating reasons for proposing to Phoebe.