Short Fiction · Chapter
As a White Dove explained
Lettice's absence is discovered hours after she leaves with Captain McCormack.
What happens
Lettice's absence is discovered hours after she leaves with Captain McCormack. The Misses Tremarten panic, with Aunt Judith hysterical and Aunt Rosamond trying to manage the situation discreetly. Mr. Rosneath investigates and learns that Captain McCormack and Lettice have likely eloped to London. Meanwhile, Lettice wanders alone through the night, exhausted and lost, until she collapses at a minister's house, where she is taken in. Captain McCormack and Lilla discover her escape, realizing their plans have failed.
Themes in this chapter
Freedom and Constraint
Lettice's flight represents a desperate bid for freedom from an unwanted marriage, while her aunts' frantic efforts to control her actions highlight the constraints placed on women.
Deception and Truth
Captain McCormack's lies about Lettice's whereabouts and the family's attempts to conceal the scandal underscore the theme of deception.
Gender Roles and Women's Agency
Lettice's independent action contrasts with the passive roles of her aunts, who rely on male relatives to resolve the crisis, reflecting the limited agency of women.
Characters to notice
- Lettice Tremarten
Flees from Captain McCormack and wanders alone through the night, eventually collapsing at a minister's house.
- Aunt Rosamond
Tries to manage the crisis calmly, sending for help and attempting to keep the situation quiet.
- Aunt Judith
Falls into hysterics upon learning of Lettice's absence, fearing an elopement.
- Captain Ivie McCormack
Plans to elope with Lettice but discovers her escape, realizing his scheme has failed.
- Lilla McCormack
Assists her brother in the elopement plot but is present when Lettice's escape is discovered.
- Mr. Rosneath
Investigates Lettice's disappearance and reports that she and Captain McCormack have likely gone to London.
Key passages
“It was not until at least two hours after Lettice’s departure with Captain McCormack that her absence was discovered.”
Lettice's disappearance went unnoticed for over two hours after she left with Captain McCormack.
Highlights the delay in realizing Lettice's absence, setting the stage for the ensuing panic.
“If you would only keep quiet, Judith,” she said, when the sobbing began to subside a little, “I could think what we had better do.”
Aunt Rosamond pleads with Aunt Judith to stop crying so she can think clearly about what to do.
Shows Aunt Rosamond's attempt to maintain composure amidst the chaos.
“I don’t believe a word of it,” she said as the maid gave her the man’s message. “This is some trick on Miss McCormack’s part.”
Aunt Rosamond dismisses the coachman's report, suspecting Lilla McCormack of deceit.
Reveals Aunt Rosamond's distrust and her initial refusal to accept the gravity of the situation.
“Oh! will the morning never come?” sighed poor Lettice, as on and on she went more slowly now, for her feet were aching and sore.”
Lettice, exhausted and in pain, longs for dawn as she struggles onward.
Emphasizes Lettice's physical and emotional distress during her night-time flight.
“Dinna be afraid, my dear,” said a gentle voice from under a red handkerchief which had been hastily tied over grey locks—“dinna be afraid, my dear, ye’re among friends. I am the minister, do you ken? and this is my daughter Maggie.”
The minister reassures Lettice that she is safe with him and his daughter Maggie.
Introduces the minister and Maggie as kind rescuers, offering Lettice refuge.
