The Law and the Lady · Chapter
XVIII: Third Question—What Was His Motive? explained
The chapter presents the prosecution's case regarding Eustace Macallan's motive for poisoning his wife.
What happens
The chapter presents the prosecution's case regarding Eustace Macallan's motive for poisoning his wife. Extracts from his private diary reveal his enduring love for Helena (Mrs. Beauly) and his regret over his impulsive marriage to the deceased. Lady Brydehaven testifies about the circumstances leading to the marriage, emphasizing Eustace's lack of affection. Finally, a gardener, William Enzie, testifies to overhearing a conversation between Eustace and Mrs. Beauly in a summerhouse, suggesting Eustace wished for his wife's death.
Themes in this chapter
Secrets and Deception
Eustace's diary reveals his hidden love for Mrs. Beauly and his true feelings about his marriage, contradicting his public persona.
Marriage and Identity
The diary shows Eustace's identity as a husband is conflicted; he married out of a sense of duty rather than love, leading to misery.
Love and Sacrifice
Eustace's diary describes his marriage as a 'chivalrous action' and a sacrifice, while his love for Helena is portrayed as all-consuming.
Characters to notice
- Eustace Macallan
His diary entries are read in court, revealing his passionate love for Mrs. Beauly and his regret over marrying his wife on impulse.
- Valeria
She reads the trial report and is pained by the diary entries, especially Eustace's expressions of love for Mrs. Beauly, but resolves to believe in his love for her.
- Mrs. Beauly
Referred to as Helena in the diary, she is the object of Eustace's love; the gardener testifies to overhearing a conversation between her and Eustace.
- Lady Brydehaven
Testifies as the aunt of the deceased, describing the circumstances of the marriage and Eustace's lack of affection for her niece.
- Mr. Drew
Counsel for the Crown, examines Lady Brydehaven.
Key passages
“I am fettered to a woman with whom I have not a single feeling in common. Helena is lost to me, by my own act. Ah! I can understand now, as I never understood before, how irresistible temptation can be, and how easily sometimes crime may follow it.”
Eustace feels trapped in a loveless marriage and realizes how temptation could lead to crime.
From Eustace's diary, revealing his despair and potential motive.
“I married her on that impulse—married her just as I might have jumped into the water and saved her if she had been drowning; just as I might have knocked a man down if I had seen him ill-treating her in the street!”
He married her impulsively, as an act of rescue, not out of love.
Eustace's explanation of his marriage, highlighting his lack of genuine affection.
“I wish no harm to the unhappy creature who is a burden on my life; but suppose—'”
Eustace hints at wishing his wife were dead without explicitly saying so.
Overheard by the gardener, suggesting a motive for murder.