Short Fiction · Chapter
XVII explained
Jim Hayward, believing Margery has eloped with the Baron, pursues her but is misdirected by Dairyman Tucker.
What happens
Jim Hayward, believing Margery has eloped with the Baron, pursues her but is misdirected by Dairyman Tucker. After a futile chase, he intercepts the Baron's carriage, only to learn that Margery is waiting for him at home. The Baron explains he helped Margery find Jim and swears never to see them again. Later, Margery confesses to Jim that she would have gone with the Baron had he pressed her, but now her loyalty lies with her child.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Secrecy
Jim's mistaken belief about Margery's elopement, the Baron's hidden motives, and Margery's secret confession about her willingness to go with the Baron.
Fate and Coincidence
The misdirection by Dairyman Tucker, the chance meeting on the road, and the Baron's timely intervention that ultimately reunites Jim and Margery.
Sacrifice and Duty
The Baron's oath to stay away from Margery, Jim's acceptance of the Baron's promise, and Margery's final choice to remain with her husband and child.
Characters to notice
- Jim Hayward
Pursues Margery and the Baron, intercepts the carriage, and later learns the truth; accepts the Baron's oath to stay away.
- Margaret Tucker
Waits at home for Jim; later confesses her past temptation to go with the Baron but affirms her commitment to her child.
- Mr. Stockdale
Not present in this chapter.
- Lizzy Newberry
Not present in this chapter.
- Caroline
Not present in this chapter.
- Nicholas Long
Not present in this chapter.
- Christine Everard
Not present in this chapter.
- Mistress Betty
Not present in this chapter.
- Mr. Barnet
Not present in this chapter.
- Barbara
Not present in this chapter.
- Baptista Trewthen
Not present in this chapter.
- Agatha Pollin
Not present in this chapter.
- Rosalys Ambrose
Not present in this chapter.
- Laura Northbrook
Not present in this chapter.
- Ella Marchmill
Not present in this chapter.
- Joshua Halborough
Not present in this chapter.
- Phyllis Grove
Not present in this chapter.
- Sally Hall
Not present in this chapter.
- Rhoda Brook
Not present in this chapter.
- Anna
Not present in this chapter.
- Lord Uplandtowers
Not present in this chapter.
- Mr. Darton
Not present in this chapter.
- Gertrude Lodge
Not present in this chapter.
- Joanna Phippard
Not present in this chapter.
- Milly Richards
Not present in this chapter.
- Timothy Petrick
Not present in this chapter.
- Mr. Millborne
Not present in this chapter.
- Selina
Not present in this chapter.
- Charles de la Feste
Not present in this chapter.
- Ned Hipcroft
Not present in this chapter.
- Alwyn Hill
Not present in this chapter.
- Shadrach Jolliffe
Not present in this chapter.
- Mrs. Dornell
Not present in this chapter.
- Charles Darton
Not present in this chapter.
- Edith Harnham
Not present in this chapter.
- Squire Dornell
Not present in this chapter.
- Christopher Swetman
Not present in this chapter.
- Mrs. Barnet
Not present in this chapter.
- Sophia
Not present in this chapter.
- Stephen Reynard
Not present in this chapter.
- Jack Winter
Not present in this chapter.
- Charles Bradford Raye
Not present in this chapter.
- Oswald Winwood
Not present in this chapter.
- Lucy Savile
Not present in this chapter.
- Emily Hanning
Not present in this chapter.
- Robert Trewe
Not present in this chapter.
- Cornelius
Not present in this chapter.
- Dorothy
Not present in this chapter.
- Harriet Palmley
Not present in this chapter.
- Lady Mottisfont
Not present in this chapter.
- Netty Sargent
Not present in this chapter.
- Baptista Heddegan
Not present in this chapter.
- Tupcombe
Not present in this chapter.
- Sir John Grebe
Not present in this chapter.
- Mrs. Harnham
Not present in this chapter.
- Mrs. Hall
Not present in this chapter.
- Roger
Not present in this chapter.
- David Heddegan
Not present in this chapter.
- Mrs. Downe
Not present in this chapter.
- Tony
Not present in this chapter.
- James Hardcome
Not present in this chapter.
- Sir Ashley Mottisfont
Not present in this chapter.
- Helena
Not present in this chapter.
- Tony Kytes
Not present in this chapter.
- Sam Hobson
Not present in this chapter.
- Hannah Jolliver
Not present in this chapter.
- Humphrey Gould
Not present in this chapter.
- Mop Ollamoor
Not present in this chapter.
- Maria Heymere
Not present in this chapter.
- Philippa
Not present in this chapter.
- Luke Holway
Not present in this chapter.
- Mr. Bellston
Not present in this chapter.
- Mr. Willowes
Not present in this chapter.
- Mrs. Peach
Not present in this chapter.
- Mrs. Marchmill
Not present in this chapter.
- Anderling
Not present in this chapter.
- Miss Frankland
Not present in this chapter.
- Rosa
Not present in this chapter.
- Old Mrs. Chundle
Not present in this chapter.
Key passages
“If he had pressed me—which he did not—to go with him when I was in the carriage that night beside his yacht, I would have gone. And I was disappointed that he did not press me.”
Margery admits she would have left with the Baron if he had insisted, and she felt let down that he didn't.
Margery's confession reveals her lingering attraction to the Baron's mysterious power over her.
“I am a plain man, and wish only to lead a quiet life with my wife, as a man should. You have great power over her—power to any extent, for good or otherwise.”
Jim tells the Baron he wants a peaceful life with Margery and acknowledges the Baron's strong influence over her.
Jim's plea for the Baron to stay away underscores his desire for domestic stability.
“He was like a magician to me. I think he was one. He could move me as a loadstone moves a speck of steel”
Margery describes the Baron's almost supernatural hold over her, comparing it to a magnet's pull.
This metaphor highlights the Baron's enigmatic and compelling nature.
