# XVII explained — The Story of Ivy

> Chapter companion for The Story of Ivy by Marie Belloc Lowndes.

## What happens

Enid Dent visits Mrs. Gretorex, who is devastated after the trial, and then goes to see Mr. Finch, Mr. Oram's clerk, to discuss his theory that Mrs. Lexton may be shielding a wealthy admirer who murdered Jervis Lexton. Finch suggests money could have silenced witnesses, and Enid suspects Roger knows the truth but refuses to testify.

## Themes in this chapter

### Crime and Justice

The chapter explores the possibility of a miscarriage of justice, with Enid and Finch questioning the trial's outcome and seeking the real murderer.

### Deception and Self-Deception

Finch suggests Ivy Lexton may be deceiving the court by shielding a murderer, and Enid suspects Roger is deceiving everyone by not testifying.

### Wealth and Financial Ruin

Finch argues that money corrupts and can buy silence, linking wealth to the cover-up of the crime.

## Character check-ins

### Enid Dent

Visits Mrs. Gretorex and then Mr. Finch to explore theories about Jervis Lexton's murder, showing her determination to prove Roger's innocence.

### Mrs. Gretorex

Grief-stricken after the trial, unable to eat, but allows Enid to pursue her investigation.

### Alfred Finch

Mr. Oram's clerk, shares Sir Joseph Molloy's theory that a wealthy admirer of Ivy Lexton may have murdered Jervis, and that money could have bought silence.

### Roger Gretorex

Mentioned as the accused; Enid believes he suspects the real murderer and refused to testify for that reason.

### Ivy Lexton

Discussed as possibly shielding a murderer; Finch believes she knows Roger is innocent and may marry a wealthy man soon.

### Nurse Bradfield

Mentioned as a witness who was terrified by Sir Joseph's cross-examination, and whose testimony suggested many visitors came to the flat.

## Key lines

> Money can do anything nowadays, for everybody wants money, and spends money as they never did before. Believe me, Miss Dent, no one, in these days, is incorruptible.

Finch asserts that money has become all-powerful, making everyone susceptible to bribery.

_Highlights the theme of corruption and the power of wealth._

> I feel quite sure that Roger suspects who did it. I think that's why he wouldn't give evidence.

Enid believes Roger knows the real killer and is protecting them by staying silent.

_Reveals Enid's theory about Roger's motive for not testifying._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters