# Chapter XX explained — The Ladies Lindores > Chapter companion for The Ladies Lindores by Margaret Oliphant. ## What happens Lady Lindores wrestles with her changing feelings about Millefleurs as a potential husband for Edith, influenced by family pressure and the allure of wealth and title. Rintoul lectures his mother on family duty, advocating for Caroline to emancipate herself from her unhappy marriage. Lord Lindores enlists John Erskine's support for a county meeting, while John and Lady Lindores discuss the delicate matter of Beaufort's potential return, with John having already advised him against coming. Edith's laughter at Millefleurs provokes her mother's annoyance, revealing the growing tension between them. ## Themes in this chapter ### Social Class and Ambition Lord Lindores's political schemes and Rintoul's lectures on family duty highlight the importance of social advancement and influence, with Millefleurs representing a pinnacle of wealth and title. ### Marriage as Transaction Edith's potential marriage to Millefleurs is discussed in terms of family importance and wealth, while Rintoul openly contemplates marrying an heiress out of duty, sacrificing personal happiness. ### Family Duty vs. Personal Happiness Rintoul's heroic resolve to marry for the family's sake contrasts with John Erskine's desire to live au jour le jour, free from such burdens; Lady Lindores wishes no husband at all for Edith. ### Gender Roles and Women's Agency Lady Lindores's internal conflict and Caroline's trapped marriage illustrate the limited agency of women, though Rintoul advises Caroline to emancipate herself and enjoy society. ## Character check-ins ### Lady Lindores Wrestles with her changing views on Millefleurs as a suitor for Edith, torn between family pressure and her own desires; annoyed by Edith's continued mockery of Millefleurs. ### Edith Lindores Continues to laugh at Millefleurs, provoking her mother's irritation; shows insight into John's meaning during the Beaufort discussion. ### John Erskine Agrees to support Lord Lindores at the county meeting; has already advised Beaufort not to come North; feels a half-humorous consciousness of being used like Beaufort but without reward. ### Rintoul Lectures his mother on family duty and the importance of a great marriage for Edith; expresses willingness to marry an heiress himself out of duty, though with a sigh for lost softer dreams. ### Lord Lindores Enlists John Erskine's help for the county meeting at Dunearn, hoping to use his speaking abilities to support Rintoul. ### Lord Millefleurs Discussed as a potential husband for Edith; Lady Lindores now sees him as good and true, and the prospect of a duchess title as significant. ### Lady Caroline Torrance Rintoul advises her to emancipate herself from her unhappy marriage and enjoy society rather than live like a cabbage. ### Mr. Beaufort Discussed as a former suitor of Caroline; John has advised him not to come North, and Lady Lindores hopes he will take that advice. ## Key lines > and second, that Millefleurs, if he was fat, was good and true, and that to be a duchess was something when all that could be said was said against it. Lady Lindores concludes that despite Millefleurs's physical shortcomings, his goodness and the title of duchess make him an acceptable match. _Reflects her pragmatic shift toward accepting the marriage for social gain._ > I don't mean to recommend other people to do what I'll not do myself. Rintoul declares he will practice what he preaches by marrying for family duty, even if it means sacrificing his own romantic dreams. _Highlights Rintoul's sense of heroic obligation to the family._ > He preferred that his present existence should flow au jour le jour. John Erskine chooses to live day by day, avoiding definite plans or hopes to prevent disappointment. _Contrasts John's carefree approach with Rintoul's burden of duty._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters/xx - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_ladies_lindores_se/chapters