That Affair Next Door · Chapter
A Ruse explained
Amelia Butterworth assists Mr.
What happens
Amelia Butterworth assists Mr. Gryce in a scheme to test Ruth Oliver's reaction to seeing Howard and Franklin Van Burnam. Ruth fails to react to the first carriage containing Franklin but reacts with shock and fury upon opening the door of the second carriage, which contains Howard. Mr. Gryce then departs with Ruth, while Amelia follows the other carriage and discovers Franklin Van Burnam inside, confirming that Ruth's memories are associated with Howard.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
Mr. Gryce's ruse uses carriages and misdirection to test Ruth Oliver's true feelings, highlighting how appearances are manipulated to uncover truth.
Observation and Deduction
Amelia and Mr. Gryce closely observe Ruth's reactions to deduce which brother she is connected to, demonstrating careful deduction.
Characters to notice
- Amelia Butterworth
Narrator and participant in the ruse; she supports Ruth Oliver and observes the test.
- Mr. Gryce
Devises the scheme to test Ruth Oliver's reaction to the Van Burnam brothers; orchestrates the carriage encounter.
- Ruth Oliver
The patient; reacts with shock and fury upon seeing Howard Van Burnam in the second carriage.
- Franklin Van Burnam
Occupant of the first carriage; Ruth shows no reaction to him.
- Howard Van Burnam
Implied occupant of the second carriage; Ruth's violent reaction confirms her association with him.
- Miss Althorpe
Arrives in her victoria as the ruse unfolds; her presence is used as a cover for the test.
Key passages
“It was a new thing for me to enter into any scheme blindfold. But the past few weeks had taught me many lessons and among them to trust a little in the judgment of others.”
Amelia reflects that she is unaccustomed to participating in plans without full knowledge, but recent experiences have taught her to rely on others' judgment.
Amelia's internal commentary on her growing trust in Mr. Gryce's methods.
“My expectations were realized; for no sooner had the poor girl swung open the door of the second hack, than her whole body succumbed to a shock so great that I expected to see her fall in a heap on the pavement.”
As predicted, Ruth Oliver is overwhelmed with shock upon opening the second carriage door, nearly collapsing.
The climax of the ruse, confirming Ruth's emotional connection to the occupant.
“There was but one person inside, and that person was Franklin Van Burnam. What was I to conclude from this? That the occupant of the other carriage was Howard, and that Mr. Gryce now knew with which of the two brothers Miss Oliver's memories were associated.”
Amelia deduces that Franklin was in the first carriage and Howard in the second, confirming Mr. Gryce's discovery of Ruth's association with Howard.
Amelia's logical conclusion after observing the carriages.