# XXXIX explained — Salem Chapel > Chapter companion for Salem Chapel by Margaret Oliphant. ## What happens The morning after the crisis brings revelations and confrontations. Miss Smith explains to Mrs. Vincent the full story of Mrs. Hilyard (now revealed as Mrs. Mildmay) and her child Alice, who had sought refuge with Susan. Mrs. Vincent feels a triumphant vindication of innocence over evil. Vincent, however, is vexed by Miss Smith's presence and later confronts Mrs. Mildmay and Mr. Fordham, who come to explain and seek reconciliation. Mrs. Mildmay asks to see her child, and Mrs. Vincent grants her request, allowing her to escape Vincent's potential vengeance. ## Themes in this chapter ### Secrecy and Scandal The full revelation of Mrs. Hilyard's identity as Mrs. Mildmay and her secret marriage to Colonel Mildmay, along with the concealment of their child Alice, drives the chapter's disclosures. ### Family and Filial Duty Mrs. Vincent's protective care for Susan and her plan to adopt Alice reflect the theme of family bonds and maternal duty. ### Gender and Power Vincent's initial desire to wield power over Mrs. Mildmay contrasts with her eventual escape through Mrs. Vincent's compassion, highlighting gendered dynamics of authority and mercy. ## Character check-ins ### Mrs. Vincent Rises early to tidy Susan's room, listens to Miss Smith's tale, and feels triumphant that innocence has overcome evil. She plans to take Alice with them when they leave Carlingford. ### Miss Smith Returns early to check on Susan and anxiously explains the full story of Mrs. Hilyard and Alice to Mrs. Vincent. She is uncomfortable breakfasting alone with Vincent. ### Arthur Vincent Finds Miss Smith's presence vexatious. Confronts Mrs. Mildmay and Mr. Fordham with restrained hostility, but ultimately allows Mrs. Mildmay to see her child, releasing her from his power. ### Mrs. Hilyard Now revealed as Mrs. Mildmay. Comes with Mr. Fordham to explain and seek Vincent's permission to leave Carlingford. She asks to see her child Alice and is granted access by Mrs. Vincent. ### Mr. Fordham Accompanies Mrs. Mildmay to explain matters to Vincent. He awkwardly attempts to express regret and exonerate Susan, but Vincent cuts him off. ### Mr. Tozer Interrupts the confrontation with a complaint about a woman seeking relief from Salem charities, providing a distraction that allows Mrs. Mildmay to slip away with Mrs. Vincent. ## Key lines > The good had overcome the evil. This child, over whom its father and mother had fought with so deadly a struggle, had flown for protection to Susan, whom that father and mother had done their utmost to ruin and destroy. Mrs. Vincent feels that goodness has triumphed: Alice, the child at the center of a bitter parental conflict, has sought refuge with Susan, the very person her parents tried to ruin. _Reflects Mrs. Vincent's moral interpretation of events and her pride in Susan's innocence._ > I am going away, and so I presume are you, Mr. Vincent. I have come to explain everything and see your mother. Mrs. Mildmay announces her departure and asks to speak with Mrs. Vincent, implying that Vincent is also leaving Carlingford. _Shows Mrs. Mildmay's decisive return to her former assertive self and her recognition of the changed circumstances._ > If it can be any atonement to you to know how much he regrets all that has happened, so far as your family is concerned—how fully he exonerates Miss Vincent, who was all along deceived, and who would not have remained a moment with him had she not been forcibly detained. Mr. Fordham awkwardly tries to convey Colonel Mildmay's regret and his statement that Susan was deceived and detained against her will. _Illustrates Fordham's discomfort in offering apologies for a situation that has caused Vincent great suffering._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/salem_chapel_se/chapters/xxxix - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/salem_chapel_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/salem_chapel_se/chapters