XXV explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Sacrifice

  Bibbs and Mary's tender evening contrasts with the turmoil at home, highlighting the transformative power of love amid personal sacrifice.

• Family and Legacy

  Edith's elopement and Sheridan's violent reaction underscore the clash between individual desires and family expectations.

• Gender Roles and Marriage

  Edith's decision to marry without parental approval challenges traditional gender roles, while Mary's quiet strength offers a contrasting model of femininity.

Characters to notice

• Bibbs Sheridan

  Spends a blissful evening with Mary, reading and sharing personal reflections; returns home to find his father in a destructive rage over Edith's elopement.

• Mary Vertrees

  Hosts Bibbs for an evening of reading and conversation; shows deep affection and care, standing in the stormy doorway to wave goodbye.

• James Sheridan

  In a violent fury after learning of Edith's elopement, destroys a Moorish statue and is restrained by Dr. Gurney.

• Edith Sheridan

  Elopes with Robert Lamhorn, sending a telegram to announce her marriage; her actions trigger her father's rage.

• Robert Lamhorn

  Marries Edith Sheridan; mentioned in the telegram as her new husband.

• Dr. Gurney

  Attends to James Sheridan, trying to calm him and insisting he keep his injured hand in a sling.

Key passages

• “You would think I threw a window open on the dawn. … She has a soul that can be seen around her—that takes you in its arms like an ailing child and without saying anything to you consoles you for everything. … I shall never understand it all. I do not know how it can all be, but my knees bend in spite of me when I speak of it.”

  Bibbs reads a passage from Maeterlinck that describes a soul so comforting it feels like a dawn, and he admits it moves him deeply.

  Bibbs shares a poetic moment with Mary, expressing his awe and emotional vulnerability.

• “I think we’re like those two in The Cloister and the Hearth. I’m just the rough Burgundian crossbow man, Denys, who followed that gentle Gerard and told everybody that the devil was dead.”

  Mary compares their relationship to characters from a novel, casting herself as a rough companion to Bibbs's gentle nature.

  Mary uses literary allusion to describe their dynamic, showing her intellectual and playful side.

• “Sure you will all approve step have taken as was so wretched my health would probably suffered severely Robert and I were married this afternoon thought best have quiet wedding absolutely sure you will understand wisdom of step when you know Robert better am happiest woman in world are leaving for Florida will wire address when settled will remain till spring love to all father will like him too when knows him like I do he is just ideal. Edith Lamhorn.”

  Edith's telegram announces her sudden marriage to Robert Lamhorn, citing health concerns and hoping for family understanding.

  The telegram reveals Edith's elopement and her attempt to justify her actions to her family.