The Small Bachelor · Chapter
Chapter X explained
Hamilton Beamish's plan to discredit George Finch in the eyes of May Stubbs backfires when May reveals herself to be Madame Eulalie, the woman with whom Beamish has fallen in love.
What happens
Hamilton Beamish's plan to discredit George Finch in the eyes of May Stubbs backfires when May reveals herself to be Madame Eulalie, the woman with whom Beamish has fallen in love. Beamish, overcome with jealousy, abandons his intellectual persona and declares his love for May, proposing marriage on the spot. He then cancels the staged theft of the wedding presents and warns Fanny to abandon any plans to steal the jewels.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearances
Hamilton Beamish's elaborate plan to make George appear a libertine backfires when Madame Eulalie is revealed to be May Stubbs, the very woman he loves.
Love and Marriage
Hamilton Beamish's sudden, passionate declaration of love and proposal to May Stubbs, overriding his earlier intellectual detachment.
Characters to notice
- Hamilton Beamish
Reveals his plan to discredit George to Madame Eulalie, then discovers she is May Stubbs. Overcome with jealousy, he declares his love and proposes marriage.
- Madame Eulalie
Revealed to be May Stubbs, George's former fiancée. She accepts Hamilton Beamish's marriage proposal.
- George Finch
Confronts May Stubbs at the house, but is interrupted by Hamilton Beamish's declaration of love. He congratulates Beamish on the engagement.
- Fanny Welch
Hiding in the rhododendron bushes as part of the planned theft. Informed by Hamilton Beamish that the ruse is off, but she remains on the lawn.
Key passages
“I have, therefore, constructed a little drama, by means of which George will appear an abandoned libertine.”
Hamilton Beamish has devised a scheme to make George seem like a dissolute womanizer.
Beamish explains his plan to discredit George to Madame Eulalie.
“I love her, see? And she's going to marry me, see? And nobody else, see? And anyone who says different had better notify his friends where he wants his body sent, see?”
Hamilton Beamish, in a jealous rage, declares his love for May and threatens anyone who challenges him.
Beamish's primitive outburst reveals his true feelings.
“Events have occurred which render our little ruse unnecessary. So you can return to your home and husband as soon as you please.”
Hamilton Beamish cancels the planned theft because his personal circumstances have changed.
Beamish informs Fanny that the scheme is off.