The Last Chronicle of Barset · Chapter
Grace Crawley Returns Home explained
Grace receives two letters: a passionate love letter from Major Grantly, who declares his love and insists he will not give her up despite her father's disgrace, and a second letter from her mother informing her that Mr.
What happens
Grace receives two letters: a passionate love letter from Major Grantly, who declares his love and insists he will not give her up despite her father's disgrace, and a second letter from her mother informing her that Mr. Crawley is seriously ill after traveling to London about his trial. Grace struggles to write a reply to Major Grantly, ultimately sending a letter that refuses his proposal out of a sense of duty and shame, while concealing her true feelings.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Major Grantly's proposal and Grace's refusal highlight the tension between personal love and social duty, especially in the face of family disgrace.
Pride and Humility
Grace's humble refusal to accept Major Grantly's proposal stems from her pride in not wanting to bring shame upon him and his family.
Family and Duty
Grace's decision is driven by her sense of duty to her family and her fear of injuring Major Grantly's daughter Edith by association with her father's disgrace.
Characters to notice
- Grace Crawley
Receives and agonizes over Major Grantly's love letter, writes a difficult reply refusing him out of duty, and then receives news of her father's illness.
- Major Grantly
Writes a passionate love letter to Grace, declaring his love and insisting he will not abandon her despite her father's troubles.
- Lily Dale
Observes Grace receiving the letter and discusses with Mrs. Dale the best course of action, deciding not to interfere.
- Mrs. Dale
Discusses with Lily the letter from Major Grantly and agrees to let him fight his own battle without interference.
- Mr. Crawley
Reported as seriously ill after traveling to London to see a lawyer about his trial.
Key passages
“I told you when I parted from you, that I should write to you, and I think it best to do so at once, in order that you may fully understand me. Spoken words are soon forgotten—”
Major Grantly writes to Grace immediately after their parting, believing written words are more lasting and clear than spoken ones.
Major Grantly's letter to Grace, emphasizing the permanence of written communication.
“I cannot understand why you should think so much of me, but I suppose it is because you have felt for all our misfortunes.”
Grace expresses bewilderment at Major Grantly's devotion, attributing it to sympathy for her family's troubles.
Grace's reply to Major Grantly, showing her humility and sense of unworthiness.
“I know that a gentleman ought not to marry any girl to do himself and his family an injury by it; and I know that if I were to make such a marriage I should be unhappy ever afterwards, even though I loved the man ever so dearly, with all my heart.”
Grace believes that marrying Major Grantly would harm him and his family, and that she would be unhappy knowing she had caused such injury.
Grace's internal reasoning for refusing Major Grantly's proposal, rooted in duty and self-sacrifice.