# Mistletoe explained — The American Senator

> Chapter companion for The American Senator by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Arabella Trefoil arrives at Mistletoe, the Duke's estate, with a carefully laid plan to secure Lord Rufford's proposal. She must navigate her aunt's unexpected offer to invite John Morton, her supposed fiancé, and deflect suspicion while preparing for Lord Rufford's arrival.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage and Financial Necessity

Arabella's entire scheme at Mistletoe is driven by the need to secure a wealthy husband to avoid financial ruin and social decline.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Complexity

Arabella lies about her engagement to John Morton to the Duchess, while simultaneously pursuing Lord Rufford, revealing the duplicity required of women in her position.

### Social Class and Aristocracy

The chapter highlights the rigid social hierarchy at Mistletoe, where Arabella's status as a duke's niece both privileges and constrains her.

## Character check-ins

### Arabella Trefoil

Arrives at Mistletoe with a desperate plan to win Lord Rufford; skillfully deflects her aunt's questions about her engagement to John Morton.

### Lord Rufford

Expected to arrive at Mistletoe; Arabella hopes to rekindle their romance.

### John Morton

Mentioned as Arabella's supposed fiancé; the Duchess considers inviting him, but Arabella objects.

### Duchess of Omnium

Hostess at Mistletoe; questions Arabella about her engagement and offers to invite John Morton.

### Lord Mistletoe

The Duke's son, mentioned as living twenty miles away.

### Lady Drummond

Guest at Mistletoe; Arabella avoids conversation with her due to connections to the Foreign Office.

### Sir Jeffrey Bunker

Dines with Arabella on her first evening; she plays cat's cradle with him to ingratiate herself.

### Lady Chiltern

Guest at Mistletoe; treats Arabella graciously.

## Key lines

> She contrived to squeeze her uncle’s hand and to utter a word of warm thanks⁠—which his grace did not perfectly understand.

Arabella subtly expressed gratitude to the Duke, though he was unaware of the significance of her gesture.

_Illustrates Arabella's manipulative charm and the Duke's obliviousness._

> A thunderbolt at her feet could hardly have surprised or annoyed her more.

Arabella was utterly shocked and dismayed by her aunt's suggestion to invite John Morton.

_Highlights Arabella's panic at the threat to her plans._

> She was venturing her all upon the die⁠—with the prospect of drowning herself on the way out to Patagonia should the chances of the game go against her.

Arabella was risking everything on this gamble, with suicide as a last resort if she failed to secure Lord Rufford.

_Reveals the extreme desperation and high stakes of Arabella's situation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxxvi-mistletoe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_american_senator_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters