A Disclosure explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Religious Hypocrisy

  Mrs. Hurst's criticism of Dissenters contrasts with the genuine Christian charity shown by Mr. May and Reginald in forgiving Northcote, exposing hypocrisy in religious attitudes.

• Family Duty and Sacrifice

  Ursula is reminded of her duty to protect her father's and brother's reputations, while Mr. May and Reginald sacrifice their pride to forgive Northcote.

• Appearance vs. Reality

  Northcote appears as an enemy but is revealed to be a changed man, while the parsonage's quiet appearance hides the social and religious conflicts within.

Characters to notice

• Ursula May

  Ursula is confronted by Mrs. Hurst about her association with Dissenters and later learns that Mr. Northcote was the one who attacked Reginald. She is deeply moved by her father's forgiveness and struggles with her feelings.

• Janey

  Janey inadvertently reveals Mr. Northcote's identity as a Dissenting minister and his attack on Reginald. She is awestruck by her father's kindness and leaves Ursula alone with Northcote.

• Mrs. Sam Hurst

  Mrs. Hurst criticizes Ursula for her late-night gatherings and warns that associating with Dissenters could harm Reginald's career. She reveals that Mr. Northcote attacked Reginald at a public meeting.

• Mr. Northcote

  Northcote confesses to Ursula that he was the one who attacked Reginald at the meeting, but explains that Mr. May and Reginald forgave him. He asks for Ursula's forgiveness and seeks a private interview.

• Reginald May

  Reginald is mentioned as having forgiven Mr. Northcote despite being attacked by him, showing Christian charity.

• Old Mr. Tozer

  Mr. Tozer is mentioned as having forgiven Mr. Northcote and shown him kindness, which deeply impresses Northcote.

Key passages

• “he was here last night, following you about, as Janey says? Oh, I know how these sort of things go on. But you ought to think of your papa’s position, and you ought to think of Reginald. If it was to come to the Bishop’s ears that St. Roque’s Parsonage was a refuge for Dissenters!”

  Mrs. Hurst accuses Ursula of improper behavior with a man and warns that harboring Dissenters could damage her father's and brother's reputations.

  Mrs. Hurst uses social pressure to criticize Ursula's associations.

• “I did not even know that you had not been told. I thought you were aware from the beginning. You were colder than they were, and I thought it was natural, quite natural, for it is easier to forgive for one’s self than for those one loves; and then I thought you melted and grew kinder to me, that you saw how all my ideas were changed, all my feelings—my mind itself; changed by the great charity, the wonderful goodness I have found here!”

  Northcote explains that he assumed Ursula knew he was the one who attacked Reginald, and he believed her initial coldness was natural, but her growing kindness made him hope she had forgiven him.

  Northcote reveals his vulnerability and gratitude for the May family's forgiveness.