# XX explained — The Perennial Bachelor

> Chapter companion for The Perennial Bachelor by Anne Parrish.

## What happens

Victor's love for Lucy deepens as she visits the Leafs, and he writes her a passionate letter confessing his feelings before she departs for Europe. Lucy's responses are affectionate but initially hesitant, then become more loving and playful as she travels, describing her adventures and encounters with other suitors, while Victor remains devoted.

## Themes in this chapter

### Unfulfilled Love and Marriage

Victor's unrequited love for Lucy is central, as she initially treats him like a brother and later sends mixed signals, while other suitors like Mr. Thompson and the Honorable Ronald appear.

### The Passage of Time

The letters span months, showing the passage of time as Lucy travels and Victor waits, highlighting the distance and longing.

### Memory and Identity

Victor cherishes memories of Lucy, like the lilies-of-the-valley and the moonlight on the river, which become symbols of their connection.

## Character check-ins

### Victor Campion

Deeply in love with Lucy, writes her a heartfelt letter, and waits anxiously for her replies.

### Lucy Hawthorn

Travels to Europe, writes to Victor with mixed feelings, initially calling him a brother but later expressing love and missing him.

### Maggie Campion

Mentioned in Victor's thoughts about home life, such as her cooking habits.

### Mr. Thompson

A fellow traveler on the ship who proposes to Lucy, but she finds him not a gentleman.

### Carter Thompson

Traveling with Lucy, provides humorous commentary on sights and is a source of amusement.

## Key lines

> I think of you every minute.

Victor claims to think of Lucy constantly, though he admits not quite all the time.

_Shows Victor's romantic idealization and the reality of his distractions._

> I love you as if you were my brother, but we are both much too young to talk of anything else.

Lucy initially rejects Victor's romantic advances by framing her affection as familial and citing their youth.

_Highlights the theme of unfulfilled love and the social constraints of the time._

> I cried when I read your letter. I love to have you feel that way about me, but I’m not worthy of it.

Lucy expresses emotional response to Victor's letter, feeling unworthy of his love.

_Reflects Lucy's conflicted feelings and the theme of self-worth in love._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters/xx
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_perennial_bachelor_se/chapters