# Mr. Tappitt in His Countinghouse explained — Rachel Ray

> Chapter companion for Rachel Ray by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Luke Rowan, having declared his intentions to Mrs. Ray, walks back to Baslehurst resolved to propose to Rachel. He envisions a future with Rachel as his wife and Tappitt retired from the brewery. The chapter delves into the legal dispute over Bungall's will, with Luke insisting he only wants his rightful share. Meanwhile, Luke's mother confronts him about Rachel, expressing concerns over her poverty and social standing, but Luke defends his choice. The chapter culminates in a heated confrontation in Tappitt's countinghouse, where Tappitt, enraged by a lawyer's letter offering to buy him out, orders Luke off the brewery premises, threatening violence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Ambition

Luke's determination to marry Rachel despite her poverty clashes with his mother's concerns about social station, while Tappitt's resistance to Luke's ambition highlights class tensions in business.

### Commerce and Moral Integrity

The dispute over the brewery partnership raises questions of fairness and honesty, with Luke asserting his legal rights and Tappitt accusing him of deceit.

### Love and Marriage

Luke's resolve to marry Rachel is central, contrasting romantic love with practical considerations of wealth and status.

## Character check-ins

### Luke Rowan

Resolves to propose to Rachel Ray; defends his choice to his mother; confronts Mr. Tappitt in the countinghouse.

### Mrs. Rowan

Confronts Luke about his intentions with Rachel Ray, expressing concern over her social standing.

### Mr. Tappitt

Receives the lawyer's letter from Luke; angrily orders Luke off the brewery premises, threatening violence.

### Rachel Ray

Mentioned as the object of Luke's affections; discussed by Luke and his mother.

### Mrs. Ray

Mentioned as having received Luke's declaration of intentions; discussed as living in a humble cottage.

### Mrs. Tappitt

Mentioned as having shared information with Mrs. Rowan about Rachel Ray; supports Tappitt's resolve.

## Key lines

> He walked quickly home along the dusty road, picturing to himself a happy prosperous future in Baslehurst, with Rachel as his wife, and the Tappitts living in some neighbouring villa on an income paid to old Tappitt by him out of the proceeds of the brewery.

Luke envisions a future where he marries Rachel and runs the brewery, while the Tappitts live nearby on a pension he provides.

_Shows Luke's optimistic plan for resolving both his romantic and business conflicts._

> I intend to marry neither the mother nor the sister; but Rachel Ray I do intend to marry—if she will have me.

Luke clarifies to his mother that his intention is to marry Rachel, not her family members.

_Highlights Luke's directness and commitment to Rachel despite his mother's objections._

> Buy him out, indeed, and lay him on one side! He hated Rowan with all his heart;—and his hatred was much more bitter in its nature than that which Rowan was capable of feeling for him.

Tappitt resents the offer to buy him out and feels a deep, bitter hatred for Luke, stronger than Luke's feelings for him.

_Illustrates Tappitt's intense animosity and his refusal to be sidelined._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/rachel_ray_se/chapters/xiii-mr-tappitt-in-his-countinghouse
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