# XLV explained — The Ladies Lindores

> Chapter companion for The Ladies Lindores by Margaret Oliphant.

## What happens

Rolls languishes in jail, his self-importance deflated by solitude and the indifference of the turnkey. Mr. Monypenny visits to arrange his defense, and Rolls learns of the high cost of an advocate. Rintoul visits Rolls, and in a tense exchange, Rintoul inadvertently reveals that he, not Erskine, caused Patrick Torrance's death. Rolls is devastated to realize his confession was a mistake, and that Erskine will now believe him guilty.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Rolls's respectable reputation and self-image are shattered by the reality of prison; Rintoul's public innocence masks his guilt.

### Grief and Liberation

Rintoul experiences a dizzying sense of escape after confessing to Rolls, yet is burdened by the secret and the loss of Nora as confidant.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Rolls

Imprisoned in Dunnotter, deeply depressed by solitude and loss of status; receives a visit from Monypenny and later from Rintoul, whose confession shatters his sacrifice.

### Lord Rintoul

Visits Rolls in jail and, in a moment of panic, confesses to pushing Pat Torrance; feels relief at escaping exposure but is left desolate and without his confidant Nora.

### Mr. Monypenny

Visits Rolls to take his statement and arrange legal defense, informing him of the high fee for advocate Jardine.

### Nora Barrington

Rintoul seeks her out in Dunearn to confide in, but she is not to be found; her absence leaves him feeling abandoned and without a confidant.

## Key lines

> He was locked up without ceremony in a cell, his respectability and his well known antecedents all ignored.

Rolls was thrown into a cell with no regard for his former status or reputation.

_Highlights the theme of appearance vs. reality as Rolls's social standing is stripped away._

> I was just an auld eediot... Him do it! No; if I had just ever thought upon the subjik; if I hadna been an eediot, and an ill-thinking, suspicious, bad-minded...

Rolls berates himself as a fool for assuming Rintoul was innocent and for confessing to a crime he didn't commit.

_Rolls's realization of his mistake and his shame at misjudging Rintoul._

> Then it was none of my business... Then the young master thinks it's me... and instead of the truth, will say till himself, 'That auld brute, Rolls, to save his auld bones, keepit me in prison four days.'

Rolls realizes that Erskine will now believe he was the guilty party all along, making his sacrifice futile.

_The devastating consequence of Rintoul's confession for Rolls's reputation and relationship with Erskine._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xlv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters