# Preparations for the Wedding explained — The Small House at Allington

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

## What happens

The fourteenth of February is set as the wedding day for Adolphus Crosbie and Lady Alexandrina De Courcy, after pressure from Lady Amelia to avoid delay. Alexandrina insists on a proper trousseau, causing tension with her mother, the countess. Crosbie visits the De Courcys and feels the coldness of his fiancée and the family's domestic decline, contrasting it with the warmth of the Dale household. He resigns himself to the marriage, planning to assert his authority afterward.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Status

The De Courcys' aristocratic pride clashes with Crosbie's plebeian background, evident in the trousseau dispute and the countess's domestic negligence.

### Love and Marriage

Crosbie's engagement is devoid of affection; Alexandrina's coldness contrasts with Lily Dale's passionate love, highlighting the transactional nature of this union.

### Family and Obligation

Family pressures drive the wedding date and trousseau decisions, with the countess sacrificing for her daughter while resenting the cost.

## Character check-ins

### Adolphus Crosbie

Resigned to the wedding, feels the coldness of his fiancée and the De Courcy household, contrasts it with the Dale home.

### Lady Alexandrina De Courcy

Insists on a proper trousseau, shows coldness toward Crosbie, withdraws her hand when he tries to caress her.

### Countess De Courcy

Cross with Alexandrina over trousseau expenses, displays domestic indifference to Crosbie, arranges the wedding date.

### Amelia Roper

Mentioned as Lady Amelia Gazebee; she pressures for an earlier wedding date due to concerns about Crosbie's behavior.

### Mortimer Gazebee

Hosts Alexandrina in St. John's Wood, but avoids hosting the countess due to discomfort.

## Key lines

> Alas! alas! a man cannot so easily repent of his sins, and wash himself white from their stains!

A man cannot simply repent and become clean of his sins.

_Reflects Crosbie's moral struggle and the lasting consequences of his actions._

> He remembered at the moment a certain scene which took place one evening at the little bridge at Allington, and Lily’s voice, and Lily’s words, and Lily’s passion, as he caressed her: 'Oh, my love, my love, my love!'

He recalled a tender moment with Lily at the bridge in Allington, where she expressed her love passionately.

_Contrasts the warmth of Lily's love with Alexandrina's coldness, highlighting Crosbie's regret._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xl-preparations-for-the-wedding
- 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