# Miss Prettyman's Private Room explained — The Last Chronicle of Barset > Chapter companion for The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope. ## What happens Major Grantly, torn between his love for Grace Crawley and the disgrace of her father's alleged theft, visits Miss Prettyman to seek counsel. Miss Prettyman advises him not to propose to Grace during her family's crisis, believing she would refuse. The major agrees to wait, expressing his love and intention to marry her in the future. Miss Prettyman defends Mr. Crawley's innocence and promises to convey the major's kindness to Grace. ## Themes in this chapter ### Social Class and Reputation Major Grantly grapples with the potential disgrace to his family if he marries Grace Crawley, whose father is accused of theft. ### Love and Marriage The chapter explores the tension between romantic love and societal expectations, as Major Grantly decides to postpone his proposal. ### Gossip and Public Opinion Silverbridge's opinion, shaped by Mr. Walker, influences Major Grantly's doubts about Mr. Crawley's guilt. ## Character check-ins ### Major Grantly Visits Miss Prettyman to discuss his love for Grace Crawley and the dilemma posed by her father's scandal. ### Grace Crawley The object of Major Grantly's affection; her father's alleged theft complicates their relationship. ### Miss Prettyman The elder Miss Prettyman, who advises Major Grantly and defends Mr. Crawley's innocence. ### Mr. Crawley Grace's father, accused of theft; his situation is the central conflict in the chapter. ### Miss Annabella Prettyman The younger Miss Prettyman, who asks impudent questions about the major's intentions. ## Key lines > Major Grantly, when threatened by his father with pecuniary punishment, should he demean himself by such a marriage as that he had proposed to himself, had declared that he would offer his hand to Miss Crawley on the next morning. This, however, he had not done. Major Grantly had vowed to propose to Grace Crawley after his father threatened to cut him off financially, but he did not follow through. _Highlights the conflict between filial duty and personal desire._ > I do not think that she would accept you now. She would feel—I am sure she would feel, that these hours of her father’s sorrow are not hours in which love should be either offered or accepted. Miss Prettyman advises that Grace would likely refuse a proposal during her father's time of trouble, as it would be inappropriate. _Reflects the Victorian propriety regarding timing of romantic declarations._ > What; a clergyman of the Church of England, a pious, hardworking country clergyman, whom we have known among us by his good works for years, suddenly turn thief, and pilfer a few pounds! It is not possible, Major Grantly. Miss Prettyman vehemently asserts that Mr. Crawley, a devoted clergyman, could not have committed theft. _Emphasizes the theme of clergy and morality._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/vii-miss-prettyman-s-private-room - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters