LXX: Mrs. Arabin Is Caught explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Justice and Injustice

  Mrs. Arabin's revelation resolves the mystery of the cheque, clearing Mr. Crawley of false accusations.

• Gossip and Public Opinion

  The chapter highlights how public opinion and the bishop's harshness compounded Mr. Crawley's suffering.

• Clergy and Morality

  Mrs. Arabin reflects on Mrs. Proudie's low-church influence and its impact on Barchester's clergy.

Characters to notice

• Johnny Eames

  Meets Mrs. Arabin in Venice and learns the truth about the cheque; accompanies her back to England.

• Mrs. Arabin

  Reveals she gave Mr. Crawley the cheque; explains its origin from rent paid by Daniel Stringer; travels back to England with Eames.

• Mr. Crawley

  The cheque that caused his troubles is revealed to have been a gift from Mrs. Arabin; his innocence is established.

• Mrs. Proudie

  Reported dead in Galignani's Messenger; Mrs. Arabin reflects on her harsh entry into Barchester.

• Thomas Toogood

  Mrs. Arabin telegraphed him about the cheque; he is Mr. Crawley's solicitor and John Eames's uncle.

• Archdeacon Grantly

  Mrs. Arabin wrote to him giving the full history of the cheque.

Key passages

• “I gave him the cheque, you know.”

  Mrs. Arabin tells John Eames that she was the one who gave Mr. Crawley the cheque.

  This simple statement resolves the central mystery of the Crawley case.

• “Mrs. Proudie is dead!”

  John Eames reads the news of Mrs. Proudie's death in a newspaper.

  The news prompts Mrs. Arabin to reflect on Mrs. Proudie's impact on Barchester.

• “I shall never forgive myself for not telling the dean.”

  Mrs. Arabin regrets not informing her husband about the cheque, which would have prevented the whole ordeal.

  Highlights the theme of missed communication and its consequences.