# XIII explained — The House by the River

> Chapter companion for The House by the River by A. P. Herbert.

## What happens

Stephen recites his love songs to Muriel, who fails to understand or appreciate them, leading to his disillusionment. He abandons their final meeting to work on a new poem, leaving Muriel waiting in vain and realizing the depth of her love.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Muriel appears to appreciate Stephen's poetry but in reality does not understand it, revealing the gap between her outward response and inner feelings.

### Art and Morality

Stephen's creative impulse overrides his moral obligations to Muriel, as he prioritizes his new poem over their final meeting.

### Isolation and Remoteness

Muriel is left alone and forgotten on the wall, experiencing emotional isolation despite being in a populated setting.

## Character check-ins

### Stephen Byrne

Recites his love songs to Muriel, feels disillusioned by her lack of understanding, and abandons their final meeting to work on a new poem.

### Muriel Tarrant

Listens to Stephen's poems without understanding, waits for him in vain, and realizes her love has become serious.

### Margery Byrne

Mentioned in Stephen's thoughts about her description of evening by the Solent.

### George Tarrant

Accompanies Stephen and Muriel on the boat trip but leaves them at Westminster Pier.

## Key lines

> She said at last: "How nice , Stephen! Did you really make up all that about me?" And at that the last flicker of the fire which had burned in him for so many days went out.

Muriel's shallow response extinguishes Stephen's passion for her.

_This moment marks Stephen's disillusionment with their relationship._

> He did not forget Muriel; he did not forget his promise. He knew that she was waiting for him, silent on the wall. He knew that he was bound in honour, or in dishonour, to go to her. But he did not go.

Stephen is aware of his commitment to Muriel but chooses to ignore it.

_Stephen prioritizes his creative work over his promise to Muriel._

> She knew now that she loved this man with a deep and consuming love; it had begun lightly, as a kind of diversion, but the game had turned to bitter earnest.

Muriel realizes her feelings for Stephen have become serious and painful.

_Muriel's realization of her love contrasts with Stephen's indifference._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_house_by_the_river_se/chapters/xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_house_by_the_river_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_house_by_the_river_se/chapters