# XLVII explained — The Ladies Lindores

> Chapter companion for The Ladies Lindores by Margaret Oliphant.

## What happens

Miss Barbara Erskine visits Lord Lindores to propose a financial settlement for John and Edith's marriage, but Lord Lindores is noncommittal. Meanwhile, Rintoul reveals his intention to marry Nora Barrington, defying his father's expectations and causing a rift. Lord Lindores, unable to control his son, grudgingly accepts Rintoul's marriage while delaying Edith's. Lady Lindores and Carry support Edith's love match, with Carry's own liberation from Torrance serving as a cautionary example.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Duty vs. Personal Happiness

Rintoul asserts his personal happiness over family duty in choosing Nora, while Lord Lindores prioritizes family ambition for Edith.

### Marriage as Transaction

Miss Barbara's proposal and Lord Lindores's calculations highlight the financial and social bargaining inherent in marriage arrangements.

### Grief and Liberation

Carry's exultation over Torrance's death contrasts with her mother's lingering compassion, illustrating the complex emotions of liberation from a bad marriage.

## Character check-ins

### Miss Barbara Erskine

Visits Lord Lindores to propose a settlement for John and Edith's marriage, but is only partially mollified by his polite reception.

### Lord Lindores

Receives Miss Barbara's proposal with politeness but internal anger; later confronts Rintoul over his marriage plans and is subdued by his son's calm defiance.

### Lord Rintoul

Declares his intention to marry Nora Barrington, asserting his right to choose his own wife, and remains unmoved by his father's displeasure.

### Edith Lindores

Her marriage to John Erskine is delayed by Lord Lindores, but she is supported by her mother and sister.

### Lady Lindores

Supports Edith's love match and is influenced by Carry's experience to stand against forcing another daughter into a similar marriage.

### Lady Caroline Torrance

Exults in her freedom after Torrance's death and passionately supports Edith's cause, offering financial help.

## Key lines

> It is what we all have to do, my lord. It is the only thing, in my experience, that it is useless to fight against.

Miss Barbara tells Lord Lindores that falling in love is inevitable and cannot be resisted.

_She defends the young couple's feelings against his objections._

> A man has a right to please himself as to who he's going to marry, if he marries at all.

Rintoul asserts his independence in choosing a wife, rejecting his father's authority.

_He distinguishes his own case from his sisters', whom he believes should be guided by family duty._

> She would not consent to interfere with the love and choice of her child.

Lady Lindores refuses to oppose Edith's romantic choice, learning from Carry's painful marriage.

_She stands firmly against her husband on this matter._

## Links

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