# XXVI explained — The Dewy Morn

> Chapter companion for The Dewy Morn by Richard Jefferies.

## What happens

After Godwin's attack, Felise and Martial confess their love for each other. Cornleigh Cornleigh visits the Gorings under the pretext of distributing engravings, but his true motives may involve Felise. Abner Brown refuses the Squire's charity, and Robert Godwin bursts in, frenzied and pursued by the constable.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Idealization

Martial's near-death experience leads to a passionate confession of love, idealizing Felise as 'great and noble' and 'inestimable'.

### Social Class and Injustice

Cornleigh's condescending charity and Abner's refusal highlight class tensions; Martial's rejection of farming under current conditions underscores economic injustice.

## Character check-ins

### Felise Goring

Sustains no serious injury from the attack; supports Martial after his emotional confession; interacts with Cornleigh and Abner.

### Martial Barnard

Realizes his love for Felise during the crisis; rejects Cornleigh's offer to keep the farm.

### Robert Godwin

Bursts into the Gorings' home in a frenzied state, pursued by the constable.

### Mr. Goring

Receives Cornleigh's visit; skeptical of Godwin's madness.

### Justice Shallow Cornleigh

Visits the Gorings under the pretext of distributing engravings; offers charity to Abner Brown.

### Abner Brown

Refuses Cornleigh's sovereign and picture; appears in the garden.

## Key lines

> The thought that he should lose her was more bitter than death—so bitter, so keen that he thought not of death, but of his loss in it.

Martial found the idea of losing Felise more unbearable than dying.

_Martial's realization of his love during the crisis._

> Her peril forced him to own his passion. The past was utterly gone, and he worshipped her with all the fervour of his heart.

Felise's danger compelled Martial to admit his love, and he devoted himself to her completely.

_The turning point in Martial's feelings._

> I have determined to have nothing more to do with farming under present conditions.

Martial decides to quit farming because of the current unfair system.

_Martial's rejection of Cornleigh's offer._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxvi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters