The Prime Minister · Chapter
There Must Be Time explained
Three months after Ferdinand Lopez's suicide, Arthur Fletcher writes to Mr.
What happens
Three months after Ferdinand Lopez's suicide, Arthur Fletcher writes to Mr. Wharton expressing his enduring love for Emily and requesting permission to see her, arguing that the usual mourning period should be shortened given the unhappy marriage. Mr. Wharton, though sympathetic, realizes Emily is not ready, as she still shows outward signs of grief and refuses to meet Arthur. The chapter explores the tension between social conventions of mourning and the desire to move forward.
Themes in this chapter
Duty vs. Personal Desire
Emily feels bound by the conventions of widowhood and her duty to her late husband's memory, while Arthur and Mr. Wharton desire to move forward and allow her to find happiness again.
Reputation and Scandal
The lingering scandal of Lopez's suicide and the press's role in keeping it alive affect the characters' decisions, particularly the Duke's ongoing discomfort.
Marriage and Courtship
Arthur's letter reopens the question of courtship after a disastrous marriage, challenging the conventional timeline for a widow to remarry.
Characters to notice
- Arthur Fletcher
Writes to Mr. Wharton, declaring his unchanged love for Emily and seeking permission to see her, arguing that the usual mourning period should be abridged.
- Abel Wharton
Receives Arthur's letter and is torn between his own desire for Emily to move on and his awareness that she is not yet ready to see Arthur.
- Emily Lopez
Still in deep mourning, refuses to meet Arthur, insists on maintaining the restraints of widowhood, and shows outward signs of affection for her late husband's memory despite having been unhappy.
- Everett Wharton
Present during the conversation about Arthur's letter, encourages Emily to take the 'first plunge' and meet Arthur.
- Quintus Slide
Mentioned as having kept the memory of Lopez's suicide alive through the People's Banner, still using the name to attack the Duke.
- The Duke of Omnium
Mentioned as still being affected by the Lopez affair, as Slide continues to write about it in the People's Banner.
Key passages
“It is not as though we had not been very, very old friends. But I know you will do the best. I have put off writing to you till I sometimes think that I shall go mad over it if I sit still any longer.”
Arthur pleads with Mr. Wharton to consider his request, emphasizing their long friendship and his own emotional distress from waiting.
Arthur's desperation and sense of urgency are evident as he asks for permission to see Emily.
“Papa, I know what it means. His goodness I shall always remember. You may tell him I say so. But I cannot meet him yet.”
Emily acknowledges Arthur's intentions and his kindness, but insists she is not ready to see him.
Emily's response shows her awareness of Arthur's feelings and her own emotional unavailability.