# Miss Madalina Demolines explained — The Last Chronicle of Barset

> Chapter companion for The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

John Eames visits Conway Dalrymple's studio, where they discuss Eames's persistent but seemingly hopeless love for Lily Dale. Later, Eames calls on Miss Madalina Demolines, who warns him about a planned painting by Dalrymple of Clara Van Siever as Jael, claiming it will cause mischief for Mrs. Dobbs Broughton. She urges Eames to prevent the painting, hinting at hidden dangers.

## Themes in this chapter

### Gossip and Public Opinion

Miss Demolines spreads rumors about Mrs. Broughton's behavior and warns of scandal, illustrating how gossip shapes social perceptions and actions.

### Love and Marriage

Eames's steadfast but unrequited love for Lily Dale is contrasted with the flirtatious and manipulative dynamics involving Miss Demolines and the Broughton circle.

## Character check-ins

### Johnny Eames

Visits Dalrymple's studio and later calls on Miss Demolines; defends his loyalty to Lily Dale and becomes intrigued by Miss Demolines's warnings.

### Conway Dalrymple

Painter at work in his studio; discusses Eames's love life and shows a sketch of a Jael and Sisera scene intended for a portrait of Clara Van Siever.

### Miss Demolines

Eagerly warns Eames about the planned painting, denounces Clara Van Siever, and seeks Eames's help to prevent the project.

### Lily Dale

Referenced as the object of Eames's persistent but unrequited love; Eames insists his loyalty to her remains unchanged.

### Mrs. Dobbs Broughton

Discussed by Miss Demolines as being flighty and possibly too familiar with Dalrymple; the painting scheme is said to risk causing her trouble.

### Clara Van Siever

Mentioned as the subject of Dalrymple's planned Jael painting; Miss Demolines describes her as false, covetous, and malicious.

## Key lines

> I don’t believe you really care about her. I think you are aware that you have got a love-affair on hand, and that you hang on to it rather persistently, having in some way come to a resolution that you would be persistent. But there isn’t much heart in it.

Dalrymple accuses Eames of clinging to his love for Lily Dale out of habit rather than genuine passion.

_Reveals Dalrymple's skeptical view of Eames's romantic commitment._

> If I do not marry Lily, I shall never marry at all, and if anybody were to tell me tomorrow that she had made up her mind to have me, I should well nigh go mad for joy.

Eames declares that Lily Dale is his only possible wife and that he would be overjoyed if she accepted him.

_Shows Eames's deep but perhaps idealistic devotion._

> She is false, covetous, malicious, cruel, and dishonest.

Miss Demolines condemns Clara Van Siever as a thoroughly wicked person.

_Highlights Miss Demolines's intense animosity and her attempt to influence Eames._

> It is your duty, and it is my duty, to take care that that picture shall never be painted.

Miss Demolines insists that both she and Eames must prevent Dalrymple from painting Clara Van Siever.

_Sets up the central conflict of the chapter regarding the proposed painting._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxv-miss-madalina-demolines
- 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