# Mr. Wharton Intends to Make a New Will explained — The Prime Minister

> Chapter companion for The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Mr. Wharton, concerned about his daughter Emily's financial security, presses Ferdinand Lopez to disclose the nature of his business affairs. Lopez evades and lies, claiming a capital of £8,000 and a partnership with Sexty Parker, but Mr. Wharton exposes him as a 'commercial adventurer' with no stable firm or income. The chapter ends with Mr. Wharton demanding a full schedule of assets and liabilities before he will alter his will in Lopez's favor, while Emily is caught between her father's distrust and her husband's resentment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wealth and Financial Insecurity

The chapter revolves around Mr. Wharton's attempt to secure Emily's financial future by investigating Lopez's precarious business, highlighting the anxiety over hidden debts and unstable income.

### Deception and Self-Invention

Lopez lies about his capital and business structure, presenting himself as a prosperous merchant while being a 'commercial adventurer' with no real assets.

### Duty vs. Personal Desire

Emily struggles between her duty to her father and her loyalty to her husband, while Lopez resents her inability to fully side with him against her family.

## Character check-ins

### Ferdinand Lopez

Lopez lies about his capital and business, claiming £8,000 and a partnership with Parker, but is exposed by Mr. Wharton as a commercial adventurer. He resents Emily's loyalty to her father.

### Emily Lopez

Emily attempts to mediate between her father and husband, but is accused by Lopez of caballing against him. She feels torn between her duties as daughter and wife.

### Abel Wharton

Mr. Wharton confronts Lopez about his finances, intending to make a new will. He demands transparency and exposes Lopez's lack of a stable business or income.

### Sexty Parker

Mentioned as Lopez's supposed partner, a stockbroker with a place of business in Little Tankard Yard, but the partnership is vague and unregistered.

## Key lines

> I want to know what is the nature of your operation. I have never been quite able to understand it.

Mr. Wharton demands a clear explanation of Lopez's business dealings.

_Mr. Wharton initiates the financial interrogation, revealing his long-standing suspicion._

> Then, sir, it seems to me that you are a commercial adventurer.

Mr. Wharton accuses Lopez of being a speculative trader without stable capital.

_This label exposes the precarious and unorthodox nature of Lopez's business._

> On £2,000 a-year, said Lopez. This was a direct lie.

Lopez falsely claims an income of £2,000 per year for tax purposes.

_The narrator explicitly states the lie, underscoring Lopez's dishonesty._

## Links

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