# The Duchess in Manchester Square explained — The Prime Minister > Chapter companion for The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope. ## What happens The Duchess of Omnium visits Emily Lopez in Manchester Square, hoping to encourage a future marriage between Emily and Arthur Fletcher. She finds Emily subdued in mourning and struggles to broach the subject. The visit is interrupted by Mrs. Roby, and the Duchess leaves feeling she has failed. Meanwhile, the Duke returns home with news that the political crisis has been settled. ## Themes in this chapter ### Reputation and Scandal The Duchess's visit is motivated by a sense of debt for having promoted Lopez, and she seeks to repair the damage by encouraging a match with Arthur Fletcher. ### Marriage and Courtship The Duchess attempts to orchestrate a future marriage between Emily and Arthur, reflecting the social maneuvering around widowhood and remarriage. ### Duty vs. Personal Desire Emily's grief and duty to her deceased husband conflict with the Duchess's desire to see her remarried to Arthur Fletcher. ## Character check-ins ### The Duchess of Omnium Visits Emily Lopez in Manchester Square with the intention of promoting a match with Arthur Fletcher, but finds the widow too sorrowful to engage. ### Emily Lopez Receives the Duchess in deep mourning; her appearance is much changed by grief, and she remains reserved and formal throughout the visit. ### Arthur Fletcher Mentioned as the present member for Silverbridge and Emily's former lover; the Duchess hopes to reunite them. ### Mrs. Roby Arrives unexpectedly during the Duchess's visit, interrupting the conversation. ### The Duke of Omnium Returns home after meeting with Mr. Monk, Mr. Gresham, and Lord Cantrip, announcing that the political situation is settled. ### Mrs. Finn Listens to the Duchess's account of the visit and comments on the nature of women of the best sort. ## Key lines > The Duke said not a word to his wife as to this new proposition, and when she asked him what tidings their old friend had brought as to the state of affairs, he almost told a fib in his anxiety to escape from her persecution. The Duke avoided telling his wife about the new political proposal, nearly lying to evade her persistent questions. _Shows the Duke's desire for solitude in decision-making and his avoidance of feminine interference._ > She built castles in the air as to the presence of the bride and bridegroom at Matching, thinking how she might thus repair the evil she had done. She fantasized about hosting the newlyweds at Matching, hoping to make amends for her earlier role in promoting Lopez. _Reveals the Duchess's guilt and her romantic, interventionist nature._ > Such a Niobe you never saw. You have never seen such a sorrowful figure. _The Duchess describes Emily's profound grief, comparing her to the mythological Niobe._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxvii-the-duchess-in-manchester-square - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prime_minister_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters