# XIX: In My Office explained — The Leavenworth Case

> Chapter companion for The Leavenworth Case by Anna Katharine Green.

## What happens

The narrator, Raymond, is visited in his office by Henry Clavering, who presents himself as a stranger seeking legal advice for a friend. Clavering recounts a story of a secret marriage between an Englishman and an American girl, asking whether it is legally binding. Raymond provides an opinion that mutual consent suffices for a valid marriage under New York law. Clavering then reveals the story is his own, returns the written opinion to Raymond with a cryptic warning about leading a woman to the altar, and departs. Raymond later learns Clavering has sailed for Liverpool, leaving him shocked and suspicious.

## Themes in this chapter

### Secrecy and Truth

Clavering conceals his identity and purpose, revealing the truth only after securing Raymond's legal opinion, highlighting the theme of hidden motives and revealed secrets.

### Love and Sacrifice

The secret marriage story underscores the lengths to which lovers go to unite, with Clavering's actions suggesting a willingness to sacrifice reputation for love.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Clavering appears as a polite stranger seeking advice, but his true identity and the personal stakes of the legal question reveal a deeper, more manipulative reality.

## Character check-ins

### The Narrator

Raymond is exhausted and unsettled, but engages with Clavering's legal query, later realizing he has been manipulated.

### Henry Clavering

Clavering visits Raymond's office under the guise of seeking advice for a friend, but reveals the story is his own and delivers a pointed warning before departing for Liverpool.

### Mr. Gryce

Raymond resolves to notify Gryce of Clavering's departure, though Gryce does not appear directly in the chapter.

### Mr. Harwell

Harwell is mentioned as having an appointment with Raymond later that evening, but does not appear in the chapter.

## Key lines

> The next day as, with nerves unstrung and an exhausted brain, I entered my office, I was greeted by the announcement: 'A gentleman, sir, in your private room—been waiting some time, very impatient.'

The following day, feeling drained and anxious, I arrived at my office and was told a gentleman had been waiting impatiently in my private room.

_Sets the scene of Raymond's weariness and the unexpected visit._

> In this State, and I believe it to be American law, marriage is a civil contract, requiring neither license, priest, ceremony, nor certificate—and in some cases witnesses are not even necessary to give it validity.

Under New York law, marriage is simply a civil agreement that does not need a license, clergy, ceremony, or certificate, and sometimes witnesses are not required.

_Raymond's legal opinion on the informality of marriage, which becomes central to the plot._

> I have but one more request to make; and that is, that you will receive back this opinion into your own possession, and in the day you think to lead a beautiful woman to the altar, pause and ask yourself: 'Am I sure that the hand I clasp with such impassioned fervor is free?'

I ask only that you take back this written opinion, and when you consider marrying a beautiful woman, stop and question whether her hand is truly free.

_Clavering's cryptic warning to Raymond, hinting at Eleanore's possible prior marriage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters/xix-in-my-office
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_leavenworth_case_se/chapters