# XVII explained — Short Fiction > Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Thomas Hardy. ## 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. ## Character check-ins ### 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 lines > 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._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/xvii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_53_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters