# VI: My Own Discovery explained — The Law and the Lady

> Chapter companion for The Law and the Lady by Wilkie Collins.

## What happens

Valeria visits her mother-in-law, Mrs. Macallan, to ask whether she has been married twice, hoping to explain Eustace's use of the name Woodville. Mrs. Macallan refuses to answer, advising Valeria to accept her marriage and not seek further secrets. Resolved to uncover the truth, Valeria returns to London with Eustace, consults her father's old clerk Benjamin, and decides to approach Major Fitz-David, whom she discovers lives at the same house she saw Eustace leaving.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrets and Deception

Eustace and his mother hide a secret about his name; Valeria resolves to uncover the truth despite their refusal to explain.

### Marriage and Identity

Valeria's uncertainty about the legality of her marriage due to Eustace's use of an assumed name; her quest to confirm her lawful status.

### Gender Roles and Agency

Valeria takes independent action by visiting Mrs. Macallan and consulting Benjamin, challenging the passive role expected of a wife.

## Character check-ins

### Valeria

Determined to discover the secret behind her husband's assumed name; visits Mrs. Macallan and later seeks advice from Benjamin.

### Mrs. Macallan

Refuses to answer Valeria's questions about her marital history, but expresses sympathy and advises Valeria to be content with her marriage.

### Eustace Macallan

Returns to London with Valeria on a pretext of business; shows signs of disturbance and avoids giving Valeria his confidence.

### Benjamin

Valeria's father's old clerk; advises her to seek information from an intimate friend of Eustace, leading her to Major Fitz-David.

### Major Fitz-David

Identified as Eustace's friend; his address is the same house Valeria saw Eustace leaving, prompting her to plan a visit.

## Key lines

> I left the house positively resolved, come what might of it, to discover the secret which the mother and son were hiding from me.

Valeria leaves Mrs. Macallan's house determined to uncover the secret that Eustace and his mother are keeping from her.

_Valeria's resolve to investigate the mystery of her husband's assumed name._

> If you value your peace of mind and the happiness of your life to come, abstain from attempting to know more than you know now.

Mrs. Macallan advises Valeria to stop seeking answers to preserve her own happiness.

_Mrs. Macallan's warning against pursuing the truth about Eustace's past._

> I think I should find my way, my dear, to some intimate friend of your husband's, and make a few discreet inquiries in that quarter first.

Benjamin suggests Valeria approach a close friend of Eustace to gather information discreetly.

_Benjamin's advice leads Valeria to consider contacting Major Fitz-David._

## Links

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