Preparations for Going explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Marriage

  Two contrasting marriage proposals are central: Bernard's pragmatic, head-driven letter to Bell, and the unspoken but understood scheme to reunite Lily with John Eames.

• Family and Obligation

  The squire's attempts to arrange Lily's future and the family's move reflect the tension between individual desires and family duty.

• Pride and Prejudice

  Lily's pride prevents her from being manipulated into meeting John Eames, while Bell's prejudice against Bernard's lack of passion leads her to reject him.

Characters to notice

• Lilian Dale

  Lily refuses the invitation to the Manor, seeing through the scheme to reunite her with John Eames, and throws herself into packing to distract from her grief.

• Isabella Dale

  Bell receives a letter from Bernard Dale proposing marriage, but she resolves to refuse him, feeling his letter lacks heart.

• Mrs. Dale

  Mrs. Dale reads Bernard's letter and supports Bell's decision, though she privately regrets the loss of a good match; she also oversees the family's moving preparations.

• Captain Bernard Dale

  Bernard writes a well-argued but passionless letter proposing to Bell, which she ultimately rejects.

• Christopher Dale

  The squire is vexed that Lily refuses the invitation and that his family plans are thwarted, but he remains affectionate toward Lily.

Key passages

• “Uncle,” she said, “do not be angry with me. I can’t go”; and then she put up her face to kiss him. He stooped and kissed her and still held her hand. He looked into her face and read it all.”

  Lily asks her uncle not to be angry and explains she cannot accept the invitation, then kisses him. He kisses her back, understanding her reasons without further words.

  This moment shows the silent understanding between Lily and the squire about her emotional state.

• “If there was little in it of passionate love, there was much of pleasant flattery. He told Bell how advantageous to both their families their marriage would be; he declared to her that his own feeling in the matter had been rendered stronger by absence; he alluded without boasting to his past career of life as her best guarantee for his future conduct; he explained to her that if this marriage could be arranged there need then, at any rate, be no further question as to his aunt removing with Lily from the Small House; and then he told her that his affection for herself was the absorbing passion of his existence.”

  Bernard's letter to Bell is more about practical advantages—family unity, financial security, and his good character—than about deep romantic love, though he claims she is his all-consuming passion.

  The narrator highlights the contrast between Bernard's logical arguments and the lack of genuine passion in his proposal.

• “She told herself that the world was not over for her because her sweet hopes had been frustrated. The wound had been deep and very sore, but the flesh of the patient had been sound and healthy, and her blood pure.”

  Lily resolves that her life is not finished despite her broken engagement, and her natural resilience suggests she will eventually recover from the emotional wound.

  This passage emphasizes Lily's inner strength and the hope for her emotional healing.