Again at Mistletoe explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Marriage and Financial Necessity

  The family's concerted effort to force Lord Rufford to marry Arabella underscores marriage as a financial and social necessity for women of her class.

• Hypocrisy and Moral Complexity

  The family debates Arabella's character while simultaneously scheming to secure her marriage, revealing moral contradictions and self-interest.

• Social Class and Aristocracy

  The Duke's 'strawberry leaves' (ducal coronet) and the family's reliance on rank and influence highlight aristocratic privilege and its limits.

Characters to notice

• Arabella Trefoil

  The subject of the family conference; the Duke defends her as 'only a bad girl' rather than 'thoroughly bad,' and the family resolves to act on her behalf.

• Lord Rufford

  The target of the family's plan; they aim to pressure him into marrying Arabella, with Lady Augustus designated to confront him.

• Lord Augustus

  Attends the family meeting reluctantly, expresses skepticism about the plan, and uses irreverent language, offending the Duchess.

• Lord Mistletoe

  Participates in the conference, suggests female influence, and volunteers to write to Lord Rufford if needed.

• The Paragon

  Referred to as the Duke of Mayfair; he convenes the meeting, writes letters, and ultimately agrees to deputize Lady Augustus.

• Lady Augustus Trefoil

  Chosen as the messenger to confront Lord Rufford, despite being despised and disliked by the family.

• Duchess of Omnium

  Initially calls Arabella 'thoroughly bad' but is persuaded by the Duke; she objects to meeting Lady Penwether and is offended by Lord Augustus's language.

Key passages

• “The truth is, Mistletoe, a man nowadays may do just what he pleases. You ain’t in that line and it won’t do you any good knowing it, but since we did away with pistols everybody may do just what he likes.”

  Lord Augustus cynically observes that without dueling, men face no serious consequences for their actions, so Lord Rufford can act with impunity.

  Reflects the theme of changing social enforcement of honor in the Victorian era.

• “All these influential members of the ducal family met together at the ducal mansion on Arabella’s behalf, and settled their difficulty by deputing the work of bearding the lion, of tying the bell on the cat, to an absent lady whom they all despised and disliked.”

  The powerful family council, after much deliberation, cowardly assigns the difficult task of confronting Lord Rufford to Lady Augustus, whom they hold in contempt.

  Highlights the family's hypocrisy and avoidance of direct responsibility.