# With Miss Butterworth's Compliments explained — That Affair Next Door > Chapter companion for That Affair Next Door by Anna Katharine Green. ## What happens In the aftermath of the mystery's resolution, Miss Butterworth reflects on the fates of the key figures. Franklin Van Burnam confesses the truth about his sister-in-law's threats and his actions on the night of the murder, while Howard Van Burnam's motives for perjuring himself are explained. Randolph Stone's guilt is acknowledged, and Miss Butterworth notes the lasting effects on Mr. Gryce's confidence. She also shares her personal arrangements, including Olive Randolph living with her and the continued visits of the Misses Van Burnam. ## Themes in this chapter ### Deception and Appearance Howard Van Burnam's perjury to protect his wife's reputation and Franklin's hidden actions underscore the theme of maintaining appearances at great personal cost. ### Justice and Truth The resolution of the mystery reveals the truth behind the murder and the perjury, yet leaves lingering questions about Randolph Stone's internal experience. ### Family Duty and Loyalty Franklin's efforts to protect his brother and Howard's sacrifice for his wife's honor exemplify family loyalty overriding personal safety. ## Character check-ins ### Amelia Butterworth Narrates the chapter, reflecting on the resolution and her role in the case. ### Franklin Van Burnam Confesses to Miss Butterworth his actions and motives during the tragedy, including his attempts to keep his brother and sister-in-law apart. ### Howard Van Burnam Bears his release with composure; his motives for perjuring himself are explained as protecting his wife's reputation. ### Mr. Gryce Has been shaken by the case, hinting at retirement due to his age and loss of confidence. ### Randolph Stone Confessed to the murder; his contradictory feelings during the inquest are pondered by Miss Butterworth. ### Olive Randolph Now living with Miss Butterworth, who cherishes her affection and gratitude. ## Key lines > The duplicity of the woman became very evident to me the next morning. In my last interview with her she had shown no relenting in her purpose towards me, but when I entered my office after this restless night in the streets, I found lying on my desk her little handbag, which had been sent down from Mrs. Parker’s. In it was the letter, just as you divined, Miss Butterworth. Franklin realized the woman's deceit when he found her handbag with the letter on his desk the next morning, confirming Miss Butterworth's suspicion. _Franklin recounts the discovery of the letter that proved the woman's duplicity._ > I make no demands upon you, as I have made no demands upon the police, to keep the secret contained in that letter from my much-abused brother. Or, rather, it is too late now to keep it, for I have told him all there was to tell, myself, and he has seen fit to overlook my fault, and to regard me with even more affection than he did before this dreadful tragedy came to harrow up our lives. Franklin tells Miss Butterworth that he has already confessed everything to his brother, who forgave him and now loves him more. _Franklin explains that the secret is already out between him and Howard._ > His mistakes, if we may call them such, were not those of failing faculties, but of a man made oversecure in his own conclusions by a series of old successes. Miss Butterworth believes Mr. Gryce's errors came from overconfidence due to his past successes, not from declining abilities. _Miss Butterworth defends Mr. Gryce's competence while critiquing his complacency._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xlii-with-miss-butterworth-s-compliments - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters