# How Bessy Pryor Answered the Two Letters, and What Came of It explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Bessy Pryor wrestles with two letters: one from her lover Philip Miles declaring his love, and another from her aunt Mrs. Miles urging her to give him up. After a night of deliberation, Bessy writes to her aunt refusing to break her promise to Philip, though she agrees to remain at Avranches and not pursue the marriage. Mrs. Miles responds with a curt, harsh note declaring enmity. Bessy confides in Miss Gregory, who advises resignation and suggests Bessy might eventually find another suitor. A month passes with no word from Philip or Mrs. Miles, and Bessy begins to fear Philip has abandoned her, but then Philip suddenly appears.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Bessy's conflict between her love for Philip and her duty to her aunt highlights the challenges of romantic commitment in the face of familial opposition.

### Family Duty and Sacrifice

Bessy's decision to remain true to Philip while obeying her aunt's command to stay at Avranches exemplifies the tension between personal loyalty and familial obligation.

### Gender Roles and Women's Agency

Bessy's struggle to assert her own choice in love against her aunt's authority reflects the limited agency of women in Victorian society.

## Character check-ins

### Bessy Pryor

Struggles with the decision to remain true to Philip despite her aunt's opposition; writes letters to both, then endures a month of silence.

### Mrs. Miles

Writes a stern letter urging Bessy to give up Philip, then sends a harsh one-line reply declaring enmity after Bessy refuses.

### Philip Launay

Bessy's lover; his letter expresses love, but he remains silent for a month until suddenly appearing at the door.

### Miss Gregory

Bessy's confidante; advises resignation and suggests Bessy might eventually accept another suitor like Mr. Morrison.

## Key lines

> A woman can soar only by suffering.

A woman can achieve greatness only through hardship.

_Mrs. Miles's argument that suffering is a woman's duty and path to elevation._

> I cannot do as you bid me. My word to him is so sacred to me that I do not dare to break it.

I cannot obey you because my promise to him is too sacred to break.

_Bessy's refusal to give up Philip, prioritizing her vow over her aunt's command._

> You are separated from me, and I am your enemy.

You are cut off from me, and I now consider you my enemy.

_Mrs. Miles's harsh response to Bessy's defiance, severing their relationship._

## Links

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