The Perpetual Curate · Chapter
XXXVII explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Proctor, after the vestry inquiry, reflects on the mystery of Tom Wodehouse and his own intentions toward Miss Wodehouse, now burdened with Lucy. He visits the Wodehouse house, encountering Tom and the servant John, while Lucy writes a letter of gratitude and loyalty to Frank Wentworth, and the sisters discuss their future.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Mr. Proctor's pragmatic yet honorable intentions toward Miss Wodehouse, and Lucy's deep gratitude and faith in Frank Wentworth, highlight the intertwining of love, duty, and practical considerations.
Family Duty and Loyalty
Lucy's letter to Frank emphasizes her family's loyalty and gratitude, while Mr. Proctor grapples with the responsibility of Lucy as an encumbrance.
Scandal and Gossip
The vestry inquiry and accusations against Frank Wentworth, along with Tom Wodehouse's defensive behavior, underscore the power of scandal in Carlingford.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Proctor
Contemplates his marriage proposal to Miss Wodehouse, troubled by Lucy's presence and the mystery of Tom Wodehouse.
- Lucy Wodehouse
Writes a letter to Frank Wentworth expressing gratitude and indignation at the accusations against him, and consults with her sister about their future.
- Tom Wodehouse
Seen sulking in the garden, confronts Mr. Proctor defensively about the accusations.
- John Brown
The faithful servant, expresses loyalty to the ladies and hints at seeking a position with a friend of the family.
Key passages
“Mr. Proctor was perfectly honest, and indeed determined, in his 'intentions;' but everybody will allow that for a middle-aged lover of fifty or thereabouts, contemplating a sensible match with a lady of suitable years and means, to find suddenly that the object of his affections was not only a penniless woman, but the natural guardian of an equally penniless sister, was startling, to say the least of it.”
Mr. Proctor was sincere in his plan to propose, but discovering that Miss Wodehouse was poor and also responsible for her sister Lucy was a shock for a man his age expecting a practical marriage.
Highlights Mr. Proctor's internal conflict between honor and practicality.
“Dear Mr. Wentworth —We have just heard of the vexations you have been suffering, to our great indignation and distress. ... I understand, also, how much we owe to you, of which, up to yesterday, I was totally unaware.”
Lucy writes to Frank expressing anger at the accusations against him and acknowledging the debt of gratitude she and her sister owe him for his hidden kindness.
Shows Lucy's loyalty and growing emotional connection to Frank.