The Perpetual Curate · Chapter
The Empty Room explained
Frank Wentworth preaches at St.
What happens
Frank Wentworth preaches at St. Roque's amid intense scrutiny from the congregation, who view him as a captivating enigma. After service, he walks with Miss Leonora, who avoids discussing Rosa Elsworthy. He attempts to visit the Wodehouses but is refused. Later, he discovers that Tom Wodehouse has vanished from Mrs. Hadwin's, leaving Sarah distraught. Jack Wentworth arrives and questions Frank about Wodehouse's death and property, revealing his cynical interest in the situation.
Themes in this chapter
Scandal and Gossip
The congregation views Frank as a 'captivating enigma' and the drama as 'half as good as a play,' highlighting the town's appetite for scandal.
Family Duty and Loyalty
Frank feels a guardian's duty toward the Wodehouse family, while Jack's cynical questions about inheritance reveal conflicting family loyalties.
Characters to notice
- Frank Wentworth
Preaches at St. Roque's under public scrutiny; later discovers Tom Wodehouse's disappearance and confronts Jack about the situation.
- Leonora Wentworth
Attends church, observes Frank's sermon, and walks with him afterward, ignoring the Rosa Elsworthy scandal.
- Jack Wentworth
Arrives at Mrs. Hadwin's, sleeps soundly, and later questions Frank about Wodehouse's death and inheritance.
- Tom Wodehouse
Disappears from Mrs. Hadwin's, leaving his room empty and Sarah in distress.
- Sarah
Terrified and sobbing, confesses to giving Tom the key and fears losing her character.
Key passages
“the opinion of Carlingford remained unchanged; which was—that, notwithstanding all the evidence of his previous life, it was quite believable that Mr. Wentworth was a seducer and a villain, and ought to be brought to condign punishment; but that in the meantime it was very interesting to watch the progress of this startling little drama; and that he himself, instead of merely being the Curate of St. Roque's, had become a most captivating enigma, and had made churchgoing itself half as good as a play.”
The townspeople still believed Frank could be guilty, but they found the unfolding scandal so entertaining that attending church now felt like watching a theatrical performance.
Illustrates the theme of scandal and gossip, as the congregation treats Frank's predicament as entertainment.
“He could not help missing her voice when the little choir, which was so feeble without her, sang the 'Magnificat,' which, somehow, Mr. Wentworth always associated with her image.”
Frank felt Lucy's absence deeply when the choir sang without her, as the hymn reminded him of her.
Highlights Frank's emotional connection to Lucy amid the turmoil.