# Showing How Mr. Crosbie Became Again a Happy Man explained — The Small House at Allington

> Chapter companion for The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

The chapter details the unhappiness of the Crosbie marriage, with Lady Alexandrina complaining to her mother about Crosbie's silence and stinginess. Lady De Courcy plans to escape to Baden-Baden with Margaretta, and Alexandrina asks Crosbie for permission to join them, revealing the complete breakdown of their relationship after only ten weeks of marriage.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

The Crosbie marriage is depicted as a complete failure, with silence, resentment, and a bride seeking to leave her husband after only ten weeks.

### Gender Roles and Women's Agency

Lady Alexandrina is trapped in an unhappy marriage with little power, yet she takes the bold step of asking her husband for permission to leave.

### Poverty and Economic Pressure

Crosbie's refusal to afford a carriage or maintain a servant highlights the financial strain of his marriage to an earl's daughter.

## Character check-ins

### Lady Alexandrina De Courcy

Complains to her mother about Crosbie's silence, lack of companionship, and stinginess; seeks permission to accompany her mother to Baden-Baden.

### Adolphus Crosbie

Shows moodiness and silence at the party; returns home speechless with his wife; is asked by Alexandrina if she may go to Baden-Baden with her mother.

### Countess De Courcy

Listens to Alexandrina's complaints, plans to escape to Baden-Baden with Margaretta, and discusses the matter with her daughter.

### Lady Margaretta

Discusses the situation with her mother, coolly suggests that people should not be made absolutely wretched because they are married.

### Mortimer Gazebee

Attempts to engage Crosbie in conversation at the party, mentions preferring home with his paper and slippers.

## Key lines

> Oh, mamma! you would not believe it; but he hardly ever speaks to me.

Lady Alexandrina complains to her mother that Crosbie rarely speaks to her.

_Highlights the emotional distance in the marriage._

> If this be domestic felicity! he would say to himself, as he sat in his armchair, striving to fix his attention upon a book.

Crosbie reflects bitterly on his own unhappiness in marriage.

_Shows his internal disillusionment._

> Have you any objection to my going with mamma?

Lady Alexandrina asks Crosbie for permission to accompany her mother to Baden-Baden.

_Reveals the breakdown of their relationship after only ten weeks._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lvi-showing-how-mr-crosbie-became-again-a-happy-man
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters