XXV: The Last Morning at Rufford Hall explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• American vs. British Values

  Senator Gotobed's attempt to discuss the Goarly case with Lord Rufford illustrates the clash between American legalism and British aristocratic indifference.

• Marriage and Financial Necessity

  Arabella's strategic pursuit of Lord Rufford and her cold calculation about John Morton underscore the financial desperation driving marriage decisions.

• Hypocrisy and Moral Complexity

  The ladies' harsh criticism of the Trefoils after their departure reveals the hypocrisy and social maneuvering within the aristocratic circle.

Characters to notice

• Senator Gotobed

  Attempts to discuss the Goarly case with Lord Rufford but is dismissed; his American perspective is not understood.

• Lord Rufford

  Dismisses Senator Gotobed's concerns about Goarly; exchanges brief words with Arabella before her departure; later jokes about being rescued from Arabella.

• Arabella Trefoil

  Struggles to get a private moment with Lord Rufford; manages a brief exchange about John Morton's health; later reflects bitterly on her situation and her strategic pursuit of Lord Rufford.

• Lady Augustus Trefoil

  Praises Rufford Hall after departure; presses Arabella for details about her progress with Lord Rufford and about John Morton.

• John Morton

  Has a cold and uncomfortable parting with the Trefoils; whispers to Arabella that he will write, but feels he will likely never see her again.

• Lady Penwether

  Leads the criticism of the Trefoils after their departure, calling Lady Augustus disagreeable and Arabella self-sufficient.

• Miss Penge

  Joins in criticizing the Trefoils, calling them vulgar and self-sufficient.

• John Runce

  Holds a clear conviction that Goarly should be hanged and that no American should be allowed on British soil.

Key passages

• ““I had meant to say a few words to you, my lord, about that man Goarly,” said the Senator, standing before the fire in the breakfast-room, “but this sad catastrophe has stopped me.” “There isn’t much to say about him, Mr. Gotobed.” “Perhaps not; only I would not wish you to think that I would oppose you without some cause. If the man is in the wrong according to law let him be proved to be so. The cost to you will be nothing. To him it might be of considerable importance.””

  Senator Gotobed tries to discuss the Goarly case with Lord Rufford, emphasizing that if Goarly is legally wrong, he should be proven so, and that the cost to Rufford is trivial compared to its importance to Goarly.

  Highlights the American vs. British values theme and the Senator's legalistic approach.

• ““What a shame it is that a man like that should have so much and that a girl like me should have nothing at all. I know twice as much as he does, and am twice as clever, and yet I’ve got to treat him as though he were a god.””

  Arabella bitterly reflects on the unfairness of her situation, where she must fawn over a man who is less intelligent and capable than she is, simply because he has wealth and she has none.

  Illustrates the theme of marriage and financial necessity and Arabella's frustration with her dependence.

• ““I sometimes wish that I could afford to be honest too and to tell somebody the downright truth. I should like to tell him the truth and I almost think I will. ‘My dear fellow, I did for a time think I couldn’t do better, and I’m not at all sure now that I can. But then you are so very dull, and I’m not certain that I should care to be Queen of the English society at the Court of the Emperor of Morocco! But if you’ll wait for another six months, I shall be able to tell you.’””

  Arabella wishes she could be honest with John Morton, admitting she considered him a practical option but finds him dull, and that she needs more time to decide if she can do better.

  Reveals Arabella's internal conflict and the theme of love vs. practicality.