# Showing What Major Grantly Did After His Walk explained — The Last Chronicle of Barset

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

## What happens

Major Grantly proposes to Grace Crawley at the Small House, but she refuses him out of a sense of family disgrace and poverty, though he insists they are engaged.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Major Grantly's proposal to Grace is central, highlighting the tension between personal love and social obstacles.

### Poverty and Suffering

Grace's refusal is driven by her family's extreme poverty and the disgrace of her father's trial, which she feels makes marriage impossible.

### Social Class and Reputation

Grace fears bringing disgrace into Major Grantly's family, reflecting the importance of social standing and reputation in Victorian society.

## Character check-ins

### Grace Crawley

Grace is the recipient of Major Grantly's proposal; she refuses him due to her family's disgrace and poverty, though she is deeply moved.

### Major Grantly

Major Grantly proposes to Grace, insisting on their engagement despite her refusal, and kisses her before leaving.

### Lily Dale

Lily accompanies Major Grantly and Grace from the church and facilitates the private conversation between them.

### Mrs. Dale

Mrs. Dale hosts Major Grantly at the Small House and leaves the room to allow the lovers privacy.

## Key lines

> No girl ever lived with any beauty belonging to her who had a smaller knowledge of her own possession than Grace Crawley.

Grace Crawley was remarkably unaware of her own beauty.

_Narrator's observation about Grace's modesty._

> I will not take disgrace into another family.

I refuse to bring shame upon your family.

_Grace's stated reason for rejecting Major Grantly._

> I shall hold myself as engaged to you, and I shall think you false if I hear that you listen to another man.

I consider us engaged, and I will regard you as unfaithful if you entertain another suitor.

_Major Grantly's declaration that he will not accept her refusal._

## Links

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