The Vicar of Bullhampton · Chapters
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Chapter companions for The Vicar of Bullhampton by Anthony Trollope.
Chapter 1
The Vicar of Bullhampton
The opening chapter introduces the village of Bullhampton and its vicar, Mr. Fenwick, a man of strong convictions and active temperament. The narrative establishes the social landscape of the parish, including the miller George Brattle and his family, and hints at the troubles surrounding his son Sam and daughter Carry. The chapter sets the stage for conflicts involving religion, class, and community judgment.
Chapter 2
I: Bullhampton
The chapter introduces the village of Bullhampton in Wiltshire, its geography, history, and key inhabitants. It describes the church, the mill owned by the Brattle family, the squire Harry Gilmore, the vicar Mr. Fenwick and his wife Janet, and the arrival of Mary Lowther, who is rumored to be engaged to Gilmore.
Chapter 3
Flo's Red Ball
Mary Lowther, staying with the Fenwicks, is pressured by her friend Janet to give Harry Gilmore a definitive answer to his marriage proposal. After rescuing Flo's red ball from the river and falling in herself, Mary reflects on her feelings and decides she will give Gilmore a firm refusal when he visits the next day.
Chapter 4
Sam Brattle
Late at night, Harry Gilmore spots two men lurking near the vicarage churchyard, one a stranger and the other Sam Brattle. He alerts Mr. Fenwick, who confronts the intruders, injuring one and capturing Sam before releasing him. Fenwick decides not to report Sam to spare his family, but warns him of the path to ruin. The chapter ends with Fenwick confiding in his wife Janet about the incident and his hopes for Sam's reform.
Chapter 5
IV: There Is No One Else
Mary Lowther rejects Harry Gilmore's marriage proposal, explaining she respects him but does not love him. Gilmore insists on waiting three months and renewing his offer, and Mary decides to return to Loring to consider her feelings.
Chapter 6
The Miller
Mr. Fenwick visits Brattle's mill, reflecting on his past relationship with Sam Brattle and the miller's difficult character. The chapter delves into Jacob Brattle's history, his bitter feud with his landlord Harry Gilmore over repairs, his deep love for his wife, and the family's sorrow over their fallen daughter Carry, whom he refuses to mention.
Chapter 7
VI: Brattle's Mill
Mr. Fenwick visits Brattle's Mill to speak with old Brattle about his son Sam's suspicious activities the previous night. The miller is uncooperative and defensive, but Fenwick insists on warning him. He then enters the house to speak with Mrs. Brattle and Fanny, finding the domestic space both warm and laden with the family's sorrow, particularly the absence of Carry.
Chapter 8
The Miller's Wife
Mr. Fenwick visits Mrs. Brattle at the mill, concerned about Sam Brattle's recent activities and associations with suspected thieves. He gently probes Mrs. Brattle and Fanny about Sam's whereabouts, revealing the family's anxiety and the Vicar's internal conflict over his past favoritism toward Sam.
Chapter 9
The Last Day
Mary Lowther prepares to leave Bullhampton for Loring, feeling melancholy and conflicted about her feelings for Harry Gilmore. She rejects his proposal but grants him a year's delay. Mr. Fenwick and his wife are somewhat angry with her hesitation. Gilmore, in a gesture of goodwill, agrees to repair the Brattle mill and house, costing him two or three hundred pounds. He bids Mary farewell with a handshake, leaving her to reconsider. Fenwick drives her to Westbury station, assuring her a home at the Vicarage whenever she chooses.
Chapter 10
Miss Marrable
Mary Lowther returns to her aunt Miss Marrable in Loring, where her aunt strongly advocates for a marriage to Mr. Gilmore, a country gentleman she deems suitable. Mary expresses weariness with the topic and insists she will never marry Gilmore. The chapter also provides a detailed portrait of Miss Marrable's character, her strict views on social rank and gentility, and a description of Loring's social geography.
Chapter 11
Crunch'em Can't Be Had
Mr. Fenwick continues to investigate Sam Brattle's involvement with Jack the Grinder, a known criminal. He visits the Lavington constable and learns that the Grinder has been seen in the area. Meanwhile, Mrs. Brattle visits the Vicarage to report that Sam has returned home and is helping with mill repairs. Fenwick plans to visit Sam the next day, expressing concern about Sam's recent activities and hoping he will reform.
Chapter 12
XI: Don’t You Be Afeard About Me
Mr. Fenwick walks to the mill to confront Sam Brattle about his recent behavior and associations with criminals like Burrows. Despite Fenwick's attempts to reason with him, Sam remains defiant and dismissive. Fenwick later advises Fanny Brattle to keep watch over Sam's activities.
Chapter 13
XII: Bone'm and His Master
Mr. Fenwick speaks to the Squire in Sam Brattle's favor, but the next morning Farmer Trumbull is found murdered and his money stolen. The dog Bone'm has been poisoned. Suspicion falls on Sam Brattle, who admits to being out the night of the murder. Fenwick questions Agnes Pope about whether she mentioned the money-box to Sam.
Chapter 14
Captain Marrable and His Father
This chapter introduces Captain Walter Marrable as a second hero of the story, contrasting him with Mr. Gilmore. It details his strained relationship with his father, Colonel Marrable, who has defrauded him of his inheritance. Walter comes to stay with his uncle, Parson John Marrable, at Loring Lowtown, where he meets his cousin Mary Lowther. The chapter also provides an extensive genealogy of the Marrable family, explaining the connections between the various branches.
Chapter 15
Cousinhood
Mary Lowther receives a letter from Mrs. Fenwick detailing the murder of Mr. Trumbull and the suspicion falling on Sam Brattle. The chapter explores Mary's reaction to the news, her discussions with her aunt and cousin Captain Marrable, and the delicate social dynamics of cousinly intimacy. Aunt Sarah weighs whether to reveal Mary's near-engagement to Mr. Gilmore to Walter, fearing it might encourage a romantic attachment between the cousins.
Chapter 16
The Police at Fault
Sam Brattle is remanded for a third week as the police fail to capture the Grinder. Mr. Fenwick secures legal aid and bail support, while the mill repairs resume under Gilmore's urging. The old miller remains despondent, and the police's inability to find evidence against Sam leads to growing calls for his release.
Chapter 17
XVI: Miss Lowther Asks for Advice
In September, while the search for Mr. Trumbull's murderers continues and Sam Brattle is remanded, Captain Marrable deals with the legal battle to recover part of his inheritance from his profligate father, Colonel Marrable. He confides in his uncle, Parson John, and in Mary Lowther and her aunt, Miss Marrable, about his financial woes. Meanwhile, Mary Lowther, torn between her feelings for Captain Marrable and her commitment to Harry Gilmore, decides to confide in her cousin Walter about her situation, seeking his advice.
Chapter 18
The Marquis of Trowbridge
The Marquis of Trowbridge, angered by the impending release of Sam Brattle due to lack of evidence, takes a personal affront to the murder of his tenant, Farmer Trumbull. His animosity extends to Mr. Fenwick and Mr. Gilmore, whom he blames for supporting Brattle. A heated confrontation occurs where Fenwick defends Sam's right to return home and rebukes the Marquis for his cruel suggestion, drawing an analogy to the Marquis's own daughters. The chapter highlights class tensions, religious conflict, and the power dynamics between the nobility and the parish.
Chapter 19
Blank Paper
Captain Marrable returns from London with news that his financial affairs are settled, allowing him to remain in England. Mary Lowther, overjoyed, seeks his advice on breaking off her engagement with Harry Gilmore. During their walk, Walter confesses his love for Mary, and she reciprocates, realizing she never truly loved Gilmore. They decide to keep their engagement secret for the night.
Chapter 20
Sam Brattle Returns Home
Sam Brattle is discharged from the magistrates' court in Heytesbury, but bail is required despite the lack of evidence. Mr. Fenwick secures bail after other potential sureties refuse, and Sam is released. He returns home to the mill, though his father remains cold and skeptical. The Fenwicks visit the Brattle family, offering support and asserting Sam's innocence. Later, they encounter the Marquis of Trowbridge in the woods, exchanging only formal greetings. At the Vicarage, the Fenwicks and Mr. Gilmore discuss the ongoing tensions with the Marquis and the need to treat Sam as innocent in the parish. Mr. Gilmore, still pining for Mary Lowther, is advised by Mrs. Fenwick to give her space.
Chapter 21
XX: I Have a Jupiter of My Own Now
Mary Lowther returns home after her walk with Walter Marrable, determined to announce their engagement. She tells her aunt, Miss Marrable, who reacts with dismay and concern about their poverty. Walter visits but Miss Marrable refuses to see him. Mary writes a letter to Janet Fenwick, expressing her deep love for Walter and her relief at not having accepted Mr. Gilmore, while also writing a difficult letter to Gilmore himself.
Chapter 22
XXI: What Parson John Thinks About It
Miss Marrable visits Parson John to discuss Mary Lowther's engagement to Captain Walter Marrable. Parson John dismisses the engagement as imprudent and unlikely to lead to marriage, believing Walter will tire of it. Despite Miss Marrable's pleas for intervention, Parson John reluctantly agrees to speak to Walter, but his counsel only strengthens Walter's resolve to marry Mary quickly, even considering a farm or India. The chapter ends with Parson John reporting back to Miss Marrable that Walter is headstrong but that he still doubts the engagement will come to anything.
Chapter 23
What the Fenwicks Thought About It
The Fenwicks receive Mary Lowther's letter announcing her engagement to Captain Walter Marrable, causing distress and concern. Mr. Fenwick reads the letter and acknowledges the gravity of the situation, predicting that Harry Gilmore will be devastated. Meanwhile, Sam Brattle has disappeared after a period of hard work at the mill, and Mr. Fenwick suspects he has gone to find his sister Carry Brattle, who is believed to be living nearby. Mrs. Fenwick writes a heartfelt but conflicted reply to Mary, expressing her disappointment while offering best wishes.
Chapter 24
What Mr. Gilmore Thought About It
Mr. Gilmore receives Mary Lowther's letter rejecting his proposal and suffers intense emotional anguish. He struggles to cope with his disappointment, wandering his estate and ultimately seeking comfort from Mrs. Fenwick, who visits him at the Vicarage's behest.
Chapter 25
The Rev. Henry Fitzackerley Chamberlaine
The Vicarage decides to invite Mr. Chamberlaine, Gilmore's uncle, to stay at Hampton Privets for a week. Gilmore, despondent over Mary Lowther's rejection, spends Sunday in isolation. Mr. Chamberlaine arrives, a comfortable prebendary with refined tastes, and discusses the murder case with Gilmore, expressing that he would not have released Sam Brattle. That evening, Gilmore envies his uncle's untroubled contentment, but when Mr. Chamberlaine brings up Mary Lowther, Gilmore reacts with bitter anguish, declaring he would give everything to marry her.
Chapter 26
Carry Brattle
Mr. Fenwick travels alone to Pycroft Common to find Carry Brattle, who is living in a cottage with old Mrs. Burrows. He confronts her about her unmarried state and her connection to the murder suspect, Jack the Grinder. Carry expresses deep despair and self-loathing, but Fenwick offers compassion and a promise of help, urging her to pray and to contact him if she leaves. On his return, he meets Sam Brattle but cannot persuade him to ride home.
Chapter 27
The Turnover Correspondence
The Marquis of Trowbridge, incensed by Mr. Fenwick's insolence and allusion to his daughters during the meeting at farmer Trumbull's, writes a complaint to the bishop. Lord St. George advises against it, but the Marquis sends the letter. The bishop forwards it to Fenwick, who responds good-naturedly, while Mrs. Fenwick is more pugnacious.
Chapter 28
XXVII: “I Never Shamed None of Them.”
Mr. Fenwick, feeling pledged to help Carry Brattle, debates whether to intercede with her father or place her in a reformatory. He discusses the matter with Gilmore and Mr. Chamberlaine, who is skeptical of such efforts. Fenwick then confronts the miller, who refuses to forgive Carry, insisting she has shamed the family. Fenwick later speaks with Mrs. Brattle and Fanny, who wish to visit Carry. Mrs. Fenwick supports the plan, and a trip to Pycroft Common is arranged for Wednesday.
Chapter 29
XXVIII: Mrs. Brattle’s Journey
Mr. Fenwick drives Mrs. Brattle to visit her daughter Carry, but they find the cottage empty. A neighbor reveals that Carry left for London with a young man. Fenwick is devastated by the news and drives Mrs. Brattle home in silence. Later, Fenwick receives a letter from Carry explaining she fled because of a quarrel with Mrs. Burrows and her hopelessness.
Chapter 30
The Bull at Loring
Harry Gilmore, despite his friend Fenwick's advice, travels to Loring with the vague hope of saving Mary Lowther from what he believes is a disastrous match with Captain Marrable. He checks into the Bull inn, where he dines with a commercial traveler named Mr. Cockey and learns from the waiter that Captain Marrable has just returned to the parsonage.
Chapter 31
The Aunt and the Uncle
Miss Marrable learns of Captain Marrable's financial ruin and urges Mary Lowther to reconsider their engagement, arguing that a poor officer cannot marry. Mary defiantly refuses to break her vow. Meanwhile, Parson John Marrable presses his nephew Walter to give up Mary, painting a grim picture of married life in India. Walter, torn between love and practicality, begins to doubt whether he should release her.
Chapter 32
Mary Lowther Feels Her Way
Mary Lowther, after reflecting on her aunt's warnings, asks Captain Marrable to walk with her. She carefully probes his feelings about their engagement, offering him a way out if poverty or his career makes marriage unwise. She declares she will abide by his decision, but her love and hope for their future are evident. The Captain insists he must go to India before they marry, which Mary accepts as a delay rather than a permanent separation.
Chapter 33
Mr. Gilmore's Success
Harry Gilmore, deeply dejected after Mary Lowther's rejection, travels to Loring and meets with Miss Marrable. He confesses his enduring love for Mary and learns that her engagement to Captain Marrable is precarious due to financial difficulties. Miss Marrable hints that the match may be broken off, giving Gilmore a glimmer of hope, and he resolves to wait patiently.
Chapter 34
Farewell
Mary Lowther writes a farewell letter to Captain Marrable, breaking their engagement. He responds passionately but agrees. They meet one last time in Loring, part with kisses, and both suffer deeply. Meanwhile, Captain Marrable confronts his father about the lost inheritance but gains nothing.
Chapter 35
Bullhampton News
Miss Marrable informs Mrs. Fenwick that Mary Lowther's engagement to Captain Marrable is ended, prompting Mrs. Fenwick to share the news with Harry Gilmore, who remains devoted to Mary. Meanwhile, the Vicar learns that a new Methodist chapel, Salem, is to be built opposite the vicarage gates, a deliberate provocation by the Marquis of Trowbridge. Fenwick resolves to remonstrate with the Marquis while maintaining civility with Mr. Puddleham. The chapter also notes the strained relations between Fenwick and old Brattle, and the ongoing mystery of Carry Brattle's whereabouts.
Chapter 36
Mr. Puddleham's New Chapel
Mr. Fenwick learns that a new Methodist chapel is to be built on the green opposite the Vicarage gate, a site chosen by the Marquis of Trowbridge. He writes a letter to the Marquis, arguing that the location is a deliberate injury to the Vicarage and proposing an alternative site. The Marquis, initially inclined to yield, becomes hardened after perceiving insolence in Fenwick's letter, especially the comparison to building a chapel in his own park. He ultimately decides to proceed, and Mrs. Fenwick is distressed by the prospect of the chapel ruining the appearance and peace of their home.
Chapter 37
Sam Brattle Goes Off Again
Sam Brattle informs Mr. Fenwick that he is leaving the mill after a quarrel with his father over the possibility of bringing his sister Carry home. The Vicar tries to dissuade him, but Sam is determined. Their conversation reveals Sam's love for Carry and Mr. Fenwick's promise to help find her a home. Meanwhile, the conflict over the new Methodist chapel escalates, with Mr. Grimes refusing to work and a Baptist builder from Salisbury taking over, plunging the parish into discord.
Chapter 38
Female Martyrdom
Mary Lowther reflects on her separation from Captain Walter Marrable, contrasting her deep sorrow with his ability to distract himself through hunting. She receives a letter from Mrs. Fenwick, who urges her not to let her broken engagement ruin her future and hints at another suitor's patience.
Chapter 39
A Lover's Madness
Mr. Gilmore, impatient after waiting months, presses Mrs. Fenwick to intercede with Mary Lowther. Mrs. Fenwick writes to Mary, who responds with wit about the chapel dispute but firmly declines to revisit Bullhampton. Meanwhile, Fanny Brattle secretly seeks the Vicar's advice about a letter from her brother Sam, who asks for money to help Carry. The Vicar lends four pounds and advises Fanny to send it via money order.
Chapter 40
The Three Honest Men
Mr. Fenwick receives a letter from Sam Brattle informing him that Carry is at the Three Honest Men public house in Salisbury, awaiting the home Fenwick promised. Despite his wife's doubts about finding a suitable place, Fenwick travels to Salisbury, only to find that Carry and Sam have been turned out by the drunken landlady. A child then leads him to Mrs. Stiggs's house, where Carry has taken shelter.
Chapter 41
Trotter's Buildings
Mr. Fenwick finds Carry Brattle at Mrs. Stiggs's house in Trotter's Buildings, Salisbury, where Sam had left her after a fight at the Three Honest Men. Fenwick promises to help her and decides to drive to Startup Farm to ask her brother George Brattle to take her in, despite his doubts about George's charity.
Chapter 42
Startup Farm
Mr. Fenwick visits Startup Farm to persuade George Brattle and his wife to take in their fallen sister Carry, but both refuse, citing her disgrace and the threat to their own family's respectability. Fenwick returns to Salisbury, arranges for Carry's board with Mrs. Stiggs, and urges her to attend cathedral services.
Chapter 43
Mr. Quickenham, Q.C.
Mr. and Mrs. Quickenham visit Bullhampton Vicarage for a holiday. The ongoing dispute over the Methodist chapel built opposite the vicarage dominates conversation. Mr. Quickenham, a Queen's Counsel, offers legal opinions on the matter, suggesting that the Marquis of Trowbridge may not have the right to grant the land for the chapel. He proposes to interview old Brattle, the miller, about the land's history. The Vicar, Mr. Fenwick, grows weary of the conflict and wishes to accept the situation, while his wife Janet remains defiant. The chapter also reflects on Mr. Quickenham's relentless ambition and his struggle to find contentment.
Chapter 44
Easter at Turnover Castle
During Easter week, Lord Saint George visits his father, the Marquis of Trowbridge, at Turnover Castle. The Marquis is troubled by the ongoing Methodist chapel dispute in Bullhampton, having received a remonstrating letter from the bishop. His daughters, Lady Carolina and Lady Sophie, suggest moving the chapel farther from the vicarage, but the Marquis is stubborn. Lord Saint George advises relocating the chapel at the family's expense to avoid potential legal issues over land ownership, but the Marquis resists, fearing it would be an admission of wrong. The chapter explores the tension between the Marquis's desire to maintain patriarchal authority and his son's more pragmatic, modern approach.
Chapter 45
The Marrables of Dunripple
Walter Marrable is at Dunripple, where he is treated with affection by his uncle Sir Gregory and his cousin Gregory. He struggles with his feelings for Mary Lowther and the expectation that he might marry Edith Brownlow. He considers revealing his broken engagement to Mary but finds he cannot. The chapter explores the quiet, rural life at Dunripple and the family dynamics among the Marrables.
Chapter 46
XLV: What Shall I Do with Myself?
Mary Lowther, staying in Loring, receives news and hints from her aunt and Parson John Marrable about Captain Walter Marrable's favorable reception at Dunripple and his potential marriage to Edith Brownlow. Despite her lingering feelings, Mary resolves not to interfere and decides to accept Janet Fenwick's invitation to visit Bullhampton, hoping to move forward.
Chapter 47
Mr. Jay of Warminster
Fenwick continues his efforts to support Carry Brattle, facing financial and reputational risks. He learns from Constable Toffy that the murderers of Mr. Trumbull have been caught—Jack Burrows (the Grinder) and Lawrence Acorn—and that Sam Brattle is now wanted. Despite the evidence, Fenwick refuses to believe Sam is guilty. He visits Salisbury on various errands, briefly seeing Carry, and then travels to Warminster to appeal to Mr. Jay, Carry's brother-in-law, for help.
Chapter 48
Sam Brattle Is Wanted
The chapter details the growing tension in Bullhampton as news spreads that Jack the Grinder and Lawrence Acorn are in Salisbury gaol and Sam Brattle is wanted. Fenwick and Gilmore visit the mill to seek information about Sam's whereabouts but are met with silence. Fenwick insists on Sam's innocence, drawing a rebuke from Gilmore about being too hasty in his assurances. Meanwhile, Gilmore's spirits have revived with the news of Mary Lowther's impending visit, and he becomes embroiled in a public quarrel with the Marquis of Trowbridge, who has been spreading slander about Fenwick's visits to Carry Brattle. Fenwick, upon hearing of the slander, acknowledges his wife's earlier warning about the Marquis.
Chapter 49
Mary Lowther Returns to Bullhampton
A month has passed and Mary Lowther returns to Bullhampton in late May. The case against Sam Brattle remains unresolved with multiple remands, and the Marquis of Trowbridge escalates his conflict with Mr. Fenwick by writing to the bishop, who rebuffs him. Mary faces the awkwardness of meeting Harry Gilmore again, and though she tries to remain aloof, her friend Janet Fenwick senses a possible change in her feelings.
Chapter 50
Mary Lowther's Doom
Mary Lowther, feeling shame and resignation after her favored lover has left her, decides to accept Mr. Gilmore's renewed proposal. She confesses her enduring love for another man, but Gilmore, despite the painful honesty, chooses to take her as his betrothed. Meanwhile, the legal proceedings against Sam Brattle for the murder of Mr. Trumbull drag on, with a subpoena served on Carry Brattle to appear at the final examination.
Chapter 51
Mary Lowther Inspects Her Future Home
Mary Lowther has accepted Harry Gilmore's marriage proposal, though she does not love him. She writes a brief, restrained letter to her aunt, and later walks with Gilmore to inspect his house, the Privets. During the visit, she tries to show interest but remains passive and avoids suggesting changes, aware that she is giving him so little of herself. The chapter highlights the emotional strain of their engagement.
Chapter 52
The Grinder and His Comrade
As the final examination of the suspected murderers approaches, Fenwick is anxious about securing Carry Brattle as a witness, but his wife dissuades him from fetching her personally. Carry disappears from Salisbury, and the constable reports her flight. At the magistrates' session, Sam Brattle is cleared of murder and released as a witness, while Burrows and Acorn are committed for trial. Fenwick brings the news to the miller, who receives it with restrained gratitude.
Chapter 53
Carry Brattle’s Journey
Carry Brattle, unable to bear the confinement and the impending summons to appear before magistrates in her old neighborhood, escapes from Mrs. Stiggs's house. She walks aimlessly along the Devizes road, avoiding the railway station and the path to Bullhampton, with no plan but to evade capture. After a night at a village inn, she continues walking and eventually turns toward Bullhampton, arriving at the mill garden late at night, where her sister Fanny and mother are discussing her plight.
Chapter 54
The Fatted Calf
Carry Brattle returns to her family's mill, exhausted and seeking refuge. Her mother and sister Fanny take her in secretly, fearing the miller's stern reaction. Eventually, the miller accepts her presence, though he does not speak to her. Fanny informs Mr. Fenwick of the news, and Constable Toffy arrives seeking Carry for failing to appear at the magistrates' hearing, but the miller refuses him entry.
Chapter 55
Mr. Gilmore's Rubies
Mary Lowther struggles with her engagement to Harry Gilmore, feeling unable to reciprocate his love. Despite advice from Mrs. Fenwick and a letter from her aunt suggesting Walter Marrable may marry Edith Brownlow, Mary resolves to proceed after receiving a magnificent set of rubies from Gilmore. She meets him and promises to love him, though she cannot yet say she does.
Chapter 56
LV: Glebe Land
On Sunday, July 15th, Mr. Puddleham's new Methodist chapel is opened with great fanfare, drawing a crowd and causing tension at the vicarage. The chapel's bell irritates Mrs. Fenwick, but Mr. Fenwick tries to remain composed. The next day, Mr. Fenwick receives a letter from Mr. Quickenham revealing that the chapel was built on glebe land belonging to the vicarage, not the Marquis. Despite pressure from his wife and Mary Lowther to tear it down, Fenwick decides to let the chapel stand, intending only to inform the Marquis of the mistake. Meanwhile, Harry Gilmore presses Mary to set a wedding date, proposing a September marriage and a European tour.
Chapter 57
The Vicar's Vengeance
Mr. Fenwick, despite pleas from his wife and the Squire, remains resolute in his decision regarding the chapel built on glebe land. He consults Mr. Chamberlaine in Salisbury, who argues forcefully for the chapel's removal, but Fenwick is not swayed, believing he cannot in good conscience force the removal of a house of prayer. Upon returning, he informs the dissenter Mr. Bolt that the congregation may stay for now. Meanwhile, the Marquis of Trowbridge receives Fenwick's letter in London and is consumed with wrath and disbelief, eventually seeking legal advice from Messrs. Boothby.
Chapter 58
Oil Is to Be Thrown Upon the Waters
The Marquis of Trowbridge, furious over Mr. Fenwick's letter, consults his lawyers, Messrs. Boothby, about the chapel built on what he believed was his land. Upon examining the estate documents, Mr. Boothby discovers that the land is actually glebe belonging to the vicarage, confirming Fenwick's claim. The Marquis is devastated and insists the chapel must be removed, but Lord St. George intervenes, persuading his father to let him handle the matter and 'throw oil upon the waters' by negotiating with Fenwick and the minister.
Chapter 59
LVIII: Edith Brownlow’s Dream
Edith Brownlow tends to her uncle Sir Gregory at Dunripple while Captain Walter Marrable visits. As they grow intimate, Walter confides his past engagement to Mary Lowther, which was broken off due to his father's actions. Edith, who had entertained a vague hope of a match with Walter, quietly sets aside her dream upon learning of his enduring feelings for Mary. Sir Gregory, meanwhile, clumsily suggests a marriage between Edith and Walter, unaware of the captain's true attachments.
Chapter 60
News from Dunripple
Mary Lowther receives a letter from Walter Marrable announcing the death of his cousin Gregory Marrable, which stirs her emotions and complicates her engagement to Harry Gilmore. Despite her efforts to reconcile herself to the marriage, the news makes it impossible for her to continue the pretense.
Chapter 61
Lord St. George Is Very Cunning
Lord St. George mediates between his father, the Marquis of Trowbridge, and Mr. Fenwick over the chapel built on Fenwick's glebe. He visits Bullhampton, discusses the chapel with Fenwick and Mr. Puddleham, and negotiates a truce between Fenwick and the Marquis, though Fenwick feels outmaneuvered.
Chapter 62
LXI: Mary Lowther’s Treachery
Mary Lowther confesses to Mrs. Fenwick that she cannot marry Mr. Gilmore, having received a letter from Captain Marrable. She seeks help to break the engagement, but Mrs. Fenwick and the Vicar are reluctant to assist, fearing the effect on Gilmore.
Chapter 63
Up at the Privets
Mr. Fenwick, burdened with the task of breaking Mary Lowther's decision to Harry Gilmore, finds his friend devastated. Gilmore, upon hearing the news, halts all renovations at his house and demands a final interview with Mary, while Fenwick struggles with the emotional weight of delivering the message.
Chapter 64
The Miller Tells His Troubles
Carry Brattle has been living at the mill for nearly two months, but her father, old Brattle, has not forgiven her or spoken to her with affection. Fanny has been supporting her, and Carry has begun to assert herself, threatening to leave. The Vicar visits the mill and meets the miller, who expresses his shame and sorrow, admitting he feels broken. The miller reveals he intends to take Carry to Salisbury himself for the assizes, though he remains stubborn and unyielding in his pain.
Chapter 65
LXIV: If I Were Your Sister!
Harry Gilmore, determined to confront Mary Lowther after receiving Fenwick's message ending their engagement, forces a meeting at the vicarage. During their heated exchange, Mary confesses her love for Captain Marrable and asks Gilmore what he would advise if she were his sister. Gilmore responds that his ears would tingle with shame, deeply insulting her. Mary declares she will never willingly speak to him again and leaves. Gilmore, realizing his insult was unforgivable, writes a note to Mrs. Fenwick with a final offer and departs for London, his hopes shattered.
Chapter 66
Mary Lowther Leaves Bullhampton
Mary Lowther, having definitively refused Harry Gilmore's proposal, prepares to leave Bullhampton. She writes to her cousin Walter Marrable and to her aunt, while the Fenwicks support her decision. The chapter follows her emotional departure and the aftermath at the vicarage.
Chapter 67
At the Mill
Carry Brattle is required to travel to Salisbury for the trial of John Burrows and Lawrence Acorn. The miller, George Brattle, decides to accompany her, causing Carry great anxiety due to his coldness. On the morning of departure, Carry makes a timid effort to reconcile with her father. Sam Brattle unexpectedly arrives, offering to work the mill and delaying his own appearance at the trial. The miller, though gruff, shows a hint of softening when he gives Carry a cushion.
Chapter 68
Sir Gregory Marrable Has a Headache
Mary Lowther returns to her aunt, Miss Marrable, after breaking her engagement with Harry Gilmore. She reveals that she is now engaged to her cousin Walter Marrable, despite Sir Gregory's disapproval. Walter informs his father, Parson John, that Sir Gregory reacted with a headache and has not yet given his blessing, leaving their future uncertain.
Chapter 69
The Squire Is Very Obstinate
Mr. Fenwick attempts to persuade the heartbroken Harry Gilmore to return to Bullhampton after his rejection by Mary Lowther, but Gilmore remains obstinate and plans to go abroad. Fenwick later travels to London to find him, stopping in Salisbury where he glimpses Carry Brattle and her father at the courthouse during a trial.
Chapter 70
The Trial
Carry Brattle and her father travel to Salisbury for the trial. Carry gives her testimony with great difficulty, but is spared the worst when she cannot answer the question about her indiscretion. Sam Brattle testifies but refuses to speak about his sister. The trial is adjourned, and the family returns to Bullhampton. Later, news arrives that Jack the Grinder has been convicted and sentenced to death, while Lawrence Acorn is acquitted.
Chapter 71
The Fate of the Puddlehamites
Fenwick returns from London to find the village in turmoil over the impending demolition of the Methodist chapel built opposite the vicarage. Lord St. George intervenes to correct the mistake, arranging for the chapel to be moved to a new site. Meanwhile, Gilmore remains in London, refusing to return home or forgive Mary Lowther.
Chapter 72
The End of Mary Lowther's Story
Sir Gregory Marrable, recovering from his disappointment over Walter's engagement to Mary Lowther, is persuaded by Mrs. Brownlow and Edith to accept the match. Walter sells out of his regiment to become deputy squire at Dunripple, and Mary prepares to marry him. Mary receives letters from Janet Fenwick (reporting Harry Gilmore's departure abroad and the chapel's demolition) and from Walter (announcing the settled plans). She replies to both, expressing remorse for the pain she caused Gilmore but joy in her own happiness, and accepts the role of deputy squiress at Dunripple.
Chapter 73
At Turnover Castle
The Fenwicks visit Turnover Castle, where the Marquis of Trowbridge apologizes for his past accusations and the chapel dispute is resolved. The visit marks a reconciliation between the Vicar and the Marquis, symbolized by gifts of game and a formal invitation.
Chapter 74
Conclusion
The final chapter resolves the fates of the Brattle family. Sam Brattle returns to work at the mill and marries Agnes Pope, who is accepted into the household after initial resistance from his father. The miller, though he forgives his daughter Carry, remains burdened by the disgrace and lives in retirement. Mr. Fenwick continues to visit the mill but fails to convert the miller, who faces death without fear. Harry Gilmore is reported to be expected home after years away.
