# IX explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Thomas Hardy.

## What happens

Twenty-one and a half years later, George Barnet returns to his hometown, now transformed by time. He visits Lucy Savile, who has been widowed, and reveals that he left because she married Charles Downe on the very day he became free to propose. He asks her to marry him now, but she gently refuses, stating she has no intention of marrying again.

## Themes in this chapter

### Time and Change

The chapter emphasizes the transformative effects of 21 years on people, buildings, and the town itself.

### Isolation and Longing

Lucy's long wait and Barnet's prolonged absence highlight themes of isolation and unfulfilled longing.

### Love and Marriage

Barnet's delayed proposal and Lucy's refusal to remarry explore the complexities of love and marriage.

## Character check-ins

### Lucy Savile

Now a widow, she has waited years for Barnet's return, but declines his marriage proposal.

### Mr. Barnet

Returns after 21 years, reveals his unrequited love for Lucy, and proposes to her.

## Key lines

> Lucy sorrowfully took back her note went home, and resolved to wait. She did wait⁠—years and years⁠—but Barnet never reappeared.

Lucy retrieved her note and decided to wait, but despite her patience, Barnet never returned.

_Highlights Lucy's enduring hope and the prolonged absence of Barnet._

> Yes; solely because you married him on the day I was free to ask you to marry me. My wife died four-and-twenty hours before you went to church with Downe.

Barnet explains that he left because Lucy married Charles on the same day he became free to propose, as his wife had died just a day earlier.

_Reveals the tragic timing that led to Barnet's departure._

> I would upon the whole rather marry you, Mr. Barnet, than any other man I have ever met, if I ever dreamed of marriage again. But I don't dream of it⁠—it is quite out of my thoughts; I have not the least intention of marrying again.

Lucy admits she would prefer Barnet over any other man, but she has no desire to remarry.

_Shows Lucy's respect for Barnet but firm decision against a second marriage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/ix
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_53_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters